BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
22/08/2008
Belarus, U.S. mull ways to improve ties
MOSCOW, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Belarussian and U.S. representatives discussed ways to improve relations between the two countries, the Belarussian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Belarussian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov met U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs David Merkel who arrived in Minsk on a two-day visit earlier in the day.
"During the meeting, both parties discussed in detail the development of Belarussian-U.S. relations in all fields. They also considered ways and steps to improve relations," said the ministry.
Bilateral relations between Belarus and the United States soured since Washington dubbed Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko as "Europe's last dictator," imposed sanctions in November 2007 against Belarus state-controlled petrochemical company Belneftekhim and froze the assets of its U.S. subsidiary.
Tensions escalated in April when Minsk expelled most of the U.S. diplomatic staff there.
Source:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/22/content_9599794.htm
Archive
Subscribe Daily Newsletter:
Belarus News and Analysis Donate:
