“Belarus Independence Day,” reflects nation’s resilience, freedom, progress: Ambassador Metelitsa

ISLAMABAD, Jul 2 (APP): Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Pakistan, H.E. Andrei Metelitsa, said on Thursday that Belarus’s Independence Day stands as a proud symbol of the Belarusian people’s unwavering spirit, resilience, and enduring commitment to freedom, sovereignty, and national progress.

In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) at his office here, the ambassador said the occasion not only honors the immense sacrifices made during the Second World War but also celebrates Belarus’s remarkable journey of reconstruction, stability, and socio-economic development.

“Following years of immense suffering and destruction during the Second World War, capital of Belarus was liberated from Nazi German occupation on July 3, 1944.

That historic victory laid the foundation for rebuilding the country and securing a prosperous future for generations to come,” he said.

Recalling the tragic history of the Second World War, Ambassador Metelitsa said Nazi Germany’s occupation of Belarus between 1941 and 1944 resulted in the deaths of nearly one-third of the Belarusian population, making the country’s Independence Day a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve freedom and national sovereignty.

Ambassador Metelitsa noted that the leadership and people of Belarus worked tirelessly to transform wartime devastation into a modern, stable and progressive nation.

Through sustained efforts, Belarus has achieved significant progress in industrialization, agriculture, healthcare, education, science and infrastructure while preserving its national identity and social cohesion.

“Today, Belarus enjoys a respected position in the international community and remains committed to sustainable development, regional cooperation and peaceful coexistence,” he added.

Highlighting bilateral relations, the ambassador said Belarus and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in February 1994, and this year marks the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic ties.

“Over the past three decades, our relationship has evolved into a comprehensive and multifaceted partnership, and we continue working to unlock its full potential,” he said.

He described the establishment of the Embassy of Belarus in Islamabad in 2014 and the Embassy of Pakistan in Minsk in 2015 as a major milestone that significantly accelerated bilateral cooperation.

The envoy said both countries maintain regular political dialogue and have developed a robust institutional framework, including the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, intergovernmental commissions on science and technology and military-technical cooperation, as well as specialized working groups covering industry, agriculture, education and pharmaceuticals.

He said the two countries have signed more than 110 bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding, providing a strong legal foundation for cooperation across diverse sectors.

Parliamentary exchanges, business delegations and inter-regional contacts are also expanding steadily.

Speaking on cooperation in international organizations, Ambassador Metelitsa said Belarus and Pakistan share common positions on many important global issues and consistently uphold the principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes and mutually beneficial cooperation.

He noted that both countries work closely within the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), of which Belarus became a full member in July 2024.

At the United Nations, he said, Belarus and Pakistan cooperate on promoting traditional family values, protecting human rights without politicization and preserving cultural and civilization diversity.

Within the SCO, both countries support initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security, combating terrorism, separatism and extremism, and enhancing transport and logistics connectivity across Eurasia.

The ambassador also highlighted growing bilateral cooperation in agriculture and education, noting that Belarusian tractors have earned the confidence of Pakistani farmers due to their reliability and efficiency.

He said around 150 Pakistani students are currently pursuing higher education in Belarus, while more than 600 Pakistani nationals are employed in different sectors of the Belarusian economy, reflecting expanding people-to-people ties.

Concluding the interview, the ambassador expressed gratitude to APP for the opportunity to share Belarus’s achievements and the growing Belarus-Pakistan partnership.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Associated Press of Pakistan for providing me with this excellent opportunity, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus, to share information about Belarus-Pakistan relations,” he said.