MINSK, 2 February (BelTA) – Venezuela is one of Belarus' leading partners in Latin America and the international scene. Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov made the statement during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Belarusian-Venezuelan diplomatic relations in the House of Friendship in Minsk on 2 February, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “Since Belarus and Venezuela established diplomatic relations on 4 February 1997, the relations have been survived the test of time and now boast a high level of mutual trust and respect. We take pride in being able to describe the relations as brotherly.”

Valentin Rybakov pointed out that Belarusian-Venezuelan relations received a considerable development impulse when Venezuela President Hugo Chavez visited Belarus in 2016 for the first time. In particular, the interstate dialogue at the high level developed very actively.

“Our countries have laid down solid groundwork for taking interaction to the next level for the sake of forming a fairer and more democratic world order on the basis of the supremacy of international law, with the UN playing the coordinating role in maintaining peace planetwide,” said Valentin Rybakov. “Belarus and Venezuela demonstrate unity in evaluating the events that happen in the world.”

In his opinion, thanks to the affinity of views on the modern world order, approaches to international relations and the operation of international organizations Belarus and Venezuela have managed to establish tight interstate interaction and can now support each other in foreign policy affairs. “Our countries are part of an informal group of allies, who coordinate their views on the main items on the international agenda and work out common approaches and tactics,” said the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Belarus-Venezuela cooperation in the UN is friendly. Cooperation within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement is productive. The fact that Venezuela was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for 2016-2018 reflects respect for the country in the international community. The fact that in September 2016 Venezuela hosted a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement and took over the presidency in the organization that unites 120 nations represents another example of the country's importance in global politics.”