25 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN BELARUS AND THE USA

Astatement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus on December 28, 1991, Belarusian and American politicians, through an exchange of notes, agreed toestablish diplomatic relations with permanent missions. In 1992, embassies of the two countries were opened in both Minsk and Washington DC.

The United States became the second nation that, following recognition of Belarusian sovereignty, proposed to the young Belarusian state to establish full diplomatic relations and conduct an exchange of ambassadors. For the quarter of a century, the relations between Belarus and the US have treaded an uneasy path of formation and development. Their history witnessed ups and downs, cooperation and discord, mutual expectations and disappointments. Our countries still have unresolved questions, some of them fundamental. Yet, it is symbolic that the jubilee of the establishment of Belarus-

US diplomatic relations falls to the period of normalizationof bilateral relations. There is much more that unites Belarus and the United States

than divides us. Historical and cultural ties between our nations go back hundreds of years; even in the most difficult times, our nations have cooperated on matters that had a significant impacton security and well-being of the entire international community. In 1991, the American side underlined the role Belarus  played in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. On the occasion of this important date for diplomatic relations, we express our sincere hope that the ongoing process of gradual improvement of Belarus-US relations will not only facilitate further cooperation between our countries but will also become

a factor contributing to the normalization of the international situation and the strengthening of regional security in Eastern Europe.