On December 18, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said that Mrs. Melania - wife of US President Donald Trump - could become a special advantage for Washington in diplomatic relations with Slovakian countries.
Speaking at the 7th National Assembly of Belarus (VNC) meeting, Mr. Lukashenko said that he had asked the US special missionary to Belarus, Mr. John Cole, to convey to President Trump about taking advantage of Mrs. Melania's role in promoting relations with the Slovak countries, because the First Lady of the United States originated from Slovenia - a Slovak country.
Mr. Lukashenko recounted that, in an interview with special agent Cole, he suggested that the US President's wife should participate more actively in solving political problems. The Belarusian leader also expressed confidence that Melania could contribute to promoting efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
Also at the meeting, President Lukashenko said that Belarus is promoting constructive relations with the US.
According to him, negotiations with Washington are sometimes tense, but are conducted on the basis of equality, respect for the interests of Belarus and without harming the country's position and role.
Emphasizing this view, Mr. Lukashenko said: "There is nothing wrong with that, while maintaining the great strategic relations with Russia and China, we have begun to promote a constructive dialogue with the US leadership - one of the world's great power centers."
Previously, on October 14, Mr. Lukashenko said that Belarus was ready to reach a "big deal" with Washington if Minsk's interests were taken into account, considering this the foundation for restoring bilateral relations. On November 20, he said that talks between Belarus and the US were scheduled to take place in December.
On December 12, President Lukashenko met with the US delegation led by John Cole. A day later, the US special mission announced the lifting of sanctions against Belarus' potassium producers. On the same day, Mr. Lukashenko decided to granted amnesty to 123 citizens of many countries.
