Rybakov told what is needed to open direct flights with the United States

Belarus is discussing with the US the opening of direct flights. This was stated by the permanent representative of Belarus to the UN Valentin Rybakov on the TV channel “Belarus 1”, writes sb.by.

Valentin Rybakov noted that such issues as the opening of direct flights are always solved for a very long time. For example, Kazakh airlines have been working on direct flights to the United States for eight years.

“To open a direct flight, it is necessary to solve a number of different issues: security issues, certification issues for aircraft, pilots, personnel, airport and so on. That's why we work. This is one of those issues that we are constantly discussing in negotiations with the American side, the diplomat said.

Commenting on the possible timing of the resumption of the work of the US Embassy in Belarus, Valentin Rybakov noted that the American diplomatic mission in Minsk has never officially closed.

“It left Belarus, moved to Lithuania. As the American side said at the time, in connection with security issues. Military operations began on the territory of neighboring Ukraine, and under this pretext they moved to Lithuania. American diplomats have all the necessary documents – visas, permits. As for the return of the embassy, the Americans have raised certain questions that, in their view, will allow them to move to Minsk. Issues are being resolved, the permanent representative of Belarus said.

On October 22, President Alexander Lukashenko adopted a report on the results of work in the negotiation process with the United States. Among the participants of the event were Prime Minister Alexander Turchin, Prosecutor General Dmitry Gora, Chairman of the KGB Ivan Tertel, Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN Valentin Rybakov.

I must say that the US administration today is not easy, there is enough work. But I really appreciate Donald Trump and his people paying attention to our contacts. There are progress on many issues, the President said. Despite the fact that there are some problems, as they say, with the exchange of political prisoners for the lifting of sanctions and so on. Although there are many other issues related to embassies and so on, we have a lot on the table today. Including Belarus’ relations with the European Union, including the United States of America.”.