Ulad Vialichka: Each similar scandal throws Belarusian society years behind

Owing to the activity of the ambassador of Sweden Stephan Ericsson, Belarus and Sweden have become more clear and open to each other. Whereas owing to the activity of Belarusian government, the country is now becoming rogue on the international scene...

Owing to the activity of the ambassador of Sweden Stephan Ericsson, Belarus and Sweden have become more clear and open to each other. Whereas owing to the activity of Belarusian government, the country is now becoming rogue on the international scene. It is not impossible that the ambassadors of EU countries can all together leave Minsk again. This is the opinion of the Chairman of the International Consortium "EuroBelarus" Ulad Vialichka.

Belarus-Swedish diplomatic conflict is in full swing. Despite of the fact that Belarus has actually initiated freezing of the bilateral diplomatic relations, Minsk authorities are trying to pretend to be an injured party. Therewith, feigning rueful feelings towards the cooperation level, they are eagerly vilifying those whom they yesterday shuffled for. EuroBelarus Information Service asked the Chairman of the Consortium Ulad Vialichka to comment on such behavior.

- Belarus Foreign Ministry press secretary Andrei Savinykh has claimed that Ericsson worked in Belarus about seven years and “during this period his activity aimed not to strengthen the relations between Belarus and Sweden, but to destroy them”. Is this statement reasonable?

- This statement gives the evidence that Belarus Foreign Ministry authorities do not wish to see and admit all the activities that Stephan Ericsson has implemented for the sake of development of Belarus-Sweden and Belarus-Europe relations.  During exactly these seven years the proper embassy was created in Belarus, now people do not have to travel to Moscow with the documents, comparing to the Soviet time. Within this period culture life in Belarus was enriched with manifold events dedicated to Swedish culture: festivals, exhibitions, readings, etc. The latest striking example is the new building of the Swedish Embassy, a building with wealthy historic heritage in downtown Minsk, which was renewed with active Swedish participation. Owing to the efforts of Stephan and his colleagues, Sweden has become much more recognizable and honored country and society, sympathetic for Belarus in terms of character, history and mentality. 

During this period, in Belarus there were realized lots of initiatives in ecology, health care, small and medium enterprise development, protection of rights of different social groups with the financial help of Swedish government and taxpayers. Besides, a considerable part of these funds were used by various Belarusian state institutions. Primitive efforts of developing the relations between Belarus and Sweden with the only interest in trade demonstrate either ignorance, or unwillingness to see the evident.

- What do you think really caused the decision not to prolongate the accreditation for Stephan Ericsson? Why has the ambassador got in wrong with Belarusian authorities?

- In my opinion, Belarusian authorities have been accumulating from year to year the discontent about free and independent activity of the ambassador. Stephan directly has communicated with a very wide range of Belarusians activists: figures from culture and civil society, and politics. I would even say that he has been the most popular foreign ambassador in Belarus over the entire history of our diplomatic relations. The authorities were waiting for a chance to actualize their claims when the opportunity occurs. The latest accusations of the officials and “experts” serving for the government against Stephan are just senseless and absurd. Having been acquainted with Stephan Ericsson for many years, I can say with confidence that he is one of the most honest, dignified and high toned people I have ever had a chance to meet, he is not capable of behind-the-scenes games and manoeuvres, his actions are always transparent and reasonable. Generally, the behavior of Belarusian authorities sometimes resembles the behavior of an offended child. It seems to me that the reason why they denied the accreditation was firstly the scandalous airplane adventure with teddy bears. They couldn’t forgive this, and possibly decided to demonstrate disapproval and vent anger in such way.

- How will the new diplomatic conflict which has already transformed into embassies recall affect the relations between Belarus and Sweden, and Belarus and Europe?

- More likely it will have negative consequences. Belarus again has lost its face in the eyes of the whole international community, which itself interferes the interests of the state. The initiative of Belarusian Foreign Ministry to close the Swedish embassy in Minsk is the next step of conflict escalation, and it was again initiated by Belarusian side. I think there is a possibility that the conflict when all EU ambassadors left Belarus repeats. Each similar scandal throws Belarusian society years behind, making our country a rogue in terms of international relations. Do you know what happens to the rogues who are expelled from their society? They are doomed. In our circumstances, it is a real threat to lose the independency and to trap into the focus of Russian influence. Me and my colleagues, who communicate actively with a wide range of European partners, experts, and simply friends, would not like this to happen.