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| Edi Rama |
In this letter, a copy of which AFP received today from sources close to the Albanian government, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe states that it is closely following with concern the events in Belarus.
"As the current and future chairmen of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, we are following closely and with concern the developments in Belarus. We want to repeat our offer to visit, to hear the views on the situation and to discuss the current challenges in the country", the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama and the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ann Linde said.
"Belarus is a valued member of our organization and we are ready to show our support for Belarus," they said.
In addition, the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama held a telephone conversation a few days ago with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Serguei Lavrov, about the situation in Belarus.
"Rama and Lavrov discussed the situation in Belarus in the context of the proposals of the Albanian presidency of the OSCE to contribute to the dialogue between the authorities and the opposition," according to a statement from the Russian embassy in Tirana.
Rama in the role of OSCE Chairman-in-Office has expressed readiness to visit Minsk and hold talks with all political parties in the conflict.
Lavrov stressed that it was essential that Belarusian citizens be allowed to resolve their own issues.
Alexander Lukashenko is facing daily demonstrations and a strike movement that erupted with calls from the opposition. The latter rejects the results of the August 9 presidential election that gave Lukashenko victory with 80% of the vote.