17 Sep 2019 17:24

U.S. Under Secretary of State Hale arrives in Belarus

MINSK. Sept 17 (Interfax) - United States Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale has arrived in Belarus, the U.S. embassy in Minsk said.

"U.S. Embassy Minsk welcomes Undersecretary Hale to Minsk," the embassy said on Twitter.

The U.S. Department of State reported on Monday that Hale's visit would last for two days and he planned to meet with high-ranking Belarusian officials and civil society leaders.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said the visit program "envisions David Hale's meeting at the top level and negotiations with Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei."

"The parties will discuss aspects of Belarusian-American relations and regional security," it said.

This has been the second visit by a high-ranking U.S. official in Minsk over the past month. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton visited Belarus at the end of August.