WASHINGTON CALLS FOR BELARUSIAN ASSETS IN U.S. TO BE UNFROZEN

MINSK, SEPTEMBER 15 /SRNA – RIA Novosti/ - The US has called on Citibank to unfreeze Belarusian funds held in the United States, Washington's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, said during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"I absolutely and fully support your requests. In fact, you are absolutely right. That money must be unfrozen and returned. We have approached the bank with a request to unfreeze those funds," Coale said.

He said Washington is now working on a mechanism that would allow the funds to be unfrozen.

"As soon as we receive a concrete response from the bank, we will inform you immediately," Coale stressed.

Lukashenko said that Belarus is open to talks with the US on all issues, but noted that agreements must be strictly respected.

According to him, between $43 million and $44 million remains frozen in Belarusian accounts at Citibank.