On May 23, Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, stated that his country has never been an adversary to Georgia while appointing Nikolai Rogashchuk as the new ambassador to Tbilisi, commenting on bilateral relations and the issue of the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
During the appointment ceremony, Lukashenko announced the decision to appoint Nikolai Rogashchuk, the former deputy administrator of presidential affairs, as the new ambassador to Georgia. Addressing Rogashchuk, Lukashenko reflected on the current state of relations with Georgia and addressed the sensitive topic of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Tbilisi regards as territories occupied by Russia.
Lukashenko emphasized that relations between the two countries have recently improved, stating, “I am very pleased that this has happened. Georgians treat us very well. They appreciate our people and have a generally positive attitude toward the leadership of our country.” He noted that although Georgians had been told that Belarus was an opponent or enemy, “We have never been adversaries of the Georgian people.”
Speaking on the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Lukashenko stressed Belarus’s neutral stance, stating, “We support Ossetians and Abkhazians living in peace with Georgians. How they resolve their issues is their matter. We do not interfere there. We should do what is best for the people. This is our position.”
Lukashenko further explained the rationale for the ambassadorial change, noting that it was natural to replace ambassadors at certain stages and that “it was decided that a new, highly active person is needed at this new stage.”