Lithuanian Social Democratic Party Chairman Mindaugas Sinkevičius has urged the president and government to agree on a long-term strategy toward Belarus, saying dialogue with Minsk should not be ruled out.
“The Constitution states that the most important foreign policy issues are decided by the president of Lithuania together with the government,” Sinkevičius told BNS Friday.
“I would like to see the head of state and the government agree on what that vision is,” he added.
According to the Social Democrat leader, some changes have been observed in Belarus following the March visit to Minsk by US Special Envoy John Coale, including the release of political prisoners and the easing of certain sanctions.
“Is there a need to improve relations with Belarus? I am a supporter of the idea that foreign policy is inseparable from diplomacy and dialogue,” Sinkevičius said.
He suggested that contacts at the deputy ministerial level could be possible, particularly if encouraged by Washington.
“I certainly would not suggest inviting them here or travelling to Minsk, but if Washington were to extend an invitation, I think it should be considered,” he said.
Coale previously urged Vilnius to hold deputy minister-level talks with Minsk on fertiliser transit. Belarus used to export fertilisers via Lithuania’s port but Vilnius cut the link in 2021 after the US sanctioned the Belarusian state-owned company Belaruskali.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has said technical dialogue with Belarus could be possible if Minsk takes concrete steps on border security and transit issues.
Lithuanian officials have also raised concerns with the US envoy about what they describe as Belarusian “hybrid attacks” and warned against placing too much trust in statements from Minsk.
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