31 May 2008
Belarusian ambassador presents credentials to Pope Benedict XVI

Ambassador Syarhey Aleynik presented his credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on May 29, said the press office of the Belarusian foreign ministry.

The ceremony took place at the Papal Palace in the Vatican City, the press office said. According to it, the pontiff and the Belarusian ambassador discussed issues concerning the development of bilateral relations. Mr. Aleynik informed the pontiff about measures taken by the Belarusian government to strengthen relations with the Roman Catholic Church, while Pope Benedict XVI expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and extended his best wishes to the Belarusian people, the press office said.

Mr. Aleynik was appointed ambassador to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta on April 10. Prior to the appointment, he served as Belarus' permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations based in Geneva. //BelaPAN