Lithuanian MFA: Russian airbase will not add trust in EU-Belarus relations

Possible deployment of a Russian airbase in Belarus will not add trust in the relations between Lithuania, EU and NATO and Minsk, Lithuanian foreign policy chief Linas Linkevicius told reporters in Vilnius.

"Everyone understands that this will not add trust between Lithuania and Belarus, NATO and Belarus, and EU and Belarus. However, regardless of whether this airbase is deployed or not, this will by no means change our actions and decisions to ensure security of both the NATO and Lithuania. It will have no influence. Simply, it will not add trust. According to our estimates, this shouldnot be done at all," said Linkevicius said during an online press conference on the portal Delfi.lt

The Lithuanian diplomacy chief also stressed it was up to Minsk to decide but called the statements by Belarusian officials with regards to the plans to deploy a Russian airbase constructive.

Linas Linkevicius also noted Lithuania valued highly Belarus' independent point of view about certain processes - for example, the position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia as well as Minsk's refusal to join Russia's econonic counter-sanctions against EU. 

Photo: EPA