Belarus to open two honorary consulates in USA

The Belarusian authorities have decided to open honorary consulates in the USA for the first time. One consulate will be opened in Florida and the other one – in Texas, RIA Novosti refers to Belarusian consul in Florida Mihail Marhulis.

According to him, the Belarusian Minister for Foreign Affairs signed the corresponding order a few weeks ago. The decision needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of State now. It is expected to be done at the beginning of January 2015.

"We should try to open Belarus for Americans as many of them now very little about our country,” Mihail Marhulis said. Belarus is an important country as it is ‘a bridge between the West and the East’, he stressed.   

Marhulis has lived in the USA for a long time. He is the head of the fund Spiritual Democracy founded in 1991. He is planning to organize a visit to Belarus for American NBA players to promote contacts between the Belarusian and American peoples. Belarus may also help the USA and Russia become closer, Marhulis believes.

The USA is open for better relations with Belarus but does not refuse from its demands in the human rights sphere addressed to the Belarusian government, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland announced in December 2014.

Photo: АР