Humanitarian cooperation

Belarus deputy foreign minister, Russian ambassador discuss humanitarian ties

Photo courtesy of the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – Belarus Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas and Russia’s Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev have discussed topical issues of the multilateral agenda, including international security, disarmament and fight against terrorism, joint events within the framework of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York and humanitarian and cultural cooperation, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

“On behalf of Belarus Andrei Dapkiunas expressed gratitude to the Russian government for providing $1.95 million to implement an international technical assistance project to strengthen Belarus’ capacity in the field of demographics. This project is part of the efforts to enhance the country’s demographic security. Such projects in Belarus are upheld by the Russian government and the United Nations Population Fund,” the ministry informed.

The deputy minister welcomed advances in the projects the UN agencies are running in Belarus with the help of Russia, one of the biggest international technical assistance donors for Belarus. The Russia-UNDP Trust Fund is successfully implementing projects to support small businesses in small and medium-size communities in Belarus and to facilitate Belarus’ accession to the World Trade Organization. Russian partners jointly with UNICEF help Belarus incorporate the best practices in child disability prevention and social integration of children with special needs. Supported by Russia and UNAIDS, Belarus is taking efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. This involves research, purchase of antiretroviral drugs and new laboratory equipment.

According to Andrei Dapkiunas, it is highly important that this cooperation takes into consideration national priorities of the two countries and serves to strengthen good neighborly relations and mutual support between the peoples of Belarus and Russia.

The parties also discussed ways to scale up cooperation in sustainable development. In 2020 Minsk will host the first regional forum on Sustainable Development Goals in the area of the Eurasian Economic Union. The deputy minister invited Russian partners to take an active part in this event.

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