“I am not saying good-bye, it is definitely a see you later!”

“In the 8 years I spent in Belarus, it has become more than just another country of assignment. I have grown attached to this place, its people and culture.

As I look back at my work here, I would like to say thank to all our national and international partners working on migration and citizenship, social support and integration of refugees and asylum-seekers, identification and elimination of statelessness.

These years have not been the easiest – from the unprecedented influx of refugees in 2014-2015 to continuous efforts on the accession to UN Statelessness Conventions – but the progress made in this domain cannot be underestimated. As I move on to my next destination, I hope that the country will continue to implement its international obligations and help those who come here in search of international protection.

And to all the people of Belarus young and old from all walks of life – I wish you the best and I hope that soon there will no longer be a need to help refugees as there will be no reasons for people all over the world to flee their homes.”