Opinions & Interviews

Belarus’ MFA: Diplomacy always comes after army

An archive photo

MINSK, 28 March (BelTA) – Diplomacy will surely make its contribution to the resolution of the existing conflict in the region and the world, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov.

The official said: “I am deeply convinced that although army is often said to be the last argument of diplomacy, we should not forget that diplomacy always comes after army. This is why I am convinced that diplomats will always secure the main achievements in resolving the conflict that exists today and the conflicts that, god forbid, may emerge later on.”

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summed up results of a contest of essays titled as “I want to be a diplomat”. The ministry awarded eight girls and two guys as winners of the contest. According to Evgeny Shestakov, the jury did not try to keep the genders balanced but focused on the quality of their works instead. “I don’t think Belarusian diplomats will be represented by women only. It is heavy work and comparative instability from the point of view of the workplace. If the principle of rotation is observed, you spend several years in the central office and several years abroad,” he noted.

In his words, it can be difficult both for men and women because they often have to work far from their native country, their friends and families.

Nevertheless, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs observes the gender balance quite well, Evgeny Shestakov assured. Women represent about 50% of the personnel the central office employs while their percentage is slightly lower abroad. “It is due to family reasons as a rule. This is life. We understand it perfectly well. But we welcomed women who want to work as diplomats and we will continue doing so,” the deputy minister of foreign affairs said.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks