Opinions & Interviews

Belarus to work smoothly on removing disagreements with Council of Europe

Vladimir Makei. Archive photo

MINSK, 28 June (BelTA) – Belarus will work on ironing out differences with the Council of Europe without any fuss, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told reporters on 28 June, BelTA has learned.

“We keep cooperating with the Council of Europe. Another program for the coming several years has been drafted. Therefore, we will keep working on settling the remaining disputes without fuss,” Vladimir Makei said.

He emphasized that Belarus is ready to work with the Council of Europe across all the areas. “The question why the Council of Europe is not ready for full cooperation with Belarus should be addressed to the Council of Europe,” the minister said.

The Council of Europe is a European intergovernmental organization comprising 47 states. It was established on 5 May 1949 and is headquartered in Strasbourg.

The Belarusian delegation received a so-called special guest status at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in September 1992. In March 1993 Belarus applied for membership to the Council of Europe. In January 1997 the status was suspended. Nevertheless, cooperation with the Council of Europe continues in a number of areas. According to representatives of the organization, the main obstacle towards the restoration of the special guest status is the issue of death penalty.

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