Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 March (BelTA) – Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas called for the intensification of cooperation between the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) against drugs during his speech at the high-level side event on “United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the fight against drugs: common threats and joint actions” held in Vienna on 12 March, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Belarusian diplomat talked about Belarus’ effective participation, jointly with the CSTO partners, in large-scale anti-drug operations, aimed at countering the penetration of illegal drugs to the CSTO member states. Andrei Dapkiunas called for the intensification of cooperation between the CSTO and the SCO in countering the world drug problem.

The deputy minister noted the growth of the SCO potential, taking into account the accession of India and Pakistan to the organization in 2017 and mentioned Belarus' interest in expanding cooperation with this regional organization on security and economic development.

The event was attended by Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Yuri Fedotov, SCO Secretary General Rashid Alimov, heads of delegations of the participating states, observers, SCO dialogue partners, representatives of international and regional organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the practical dialogue between the UN and the SCO in implementing joint projects and programs to combat illicit drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime.

In Vienna, Andrei Dapkiunas also met with Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Director of the Department of Technical Cooperation Dazhu Yang. The representative of Belarus confirmed that the IAEA technical cooperation mechanisms are an important tool for the transfer and implementation of advanced ideas, technologies and experience in the nuclear sector. He added that thanks to the technical cooperation program Belarus implemented large-scale projects to strengthen and develop national capacities in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy. The parties reached concrete agreements on further development of Belarus' cooperation with the agency, including on the coordination and signing of the country cooperation framework program through 2021.

The Belarusian diplomat also met with Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Li Yong. The parties discussed the status and prospects of cooperation between Belarus and UNIDO, including the implementation of technical assistance projects through this organization. The UNIDO Director General emphasized active support of Belarus’ efforts to modernize the industry and introduce innovative technologies.

The UNIDO Director General was updated on Belarus’ initiative to promote the interests of middle-income countries in the UN, including the organization of a high-level UN meeting in New York in autumn to discuss the contribution of such countries to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The parties also discussed the preparation by the UNIDO secretariat of the draft strategic framework for cooperation of the organization with middle-income countries.

During the event held by the American side for the heads of the delegations participating in the session, the Belarusian deputy minister of foreign affairs held talks with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs James Walsh. The parties noted successful cooperation between the two countries through law enforcement agencies, discussed international cooperation in combating drugs, and also the possibility of expanding bilateral cooperation in the law enforcement sector.