Opinions & Interviews

“Belarus plays the role of a donor of stability and peace, especially against the backdrop of conflicts in the region. Minsk has been hosting the peace negotiations on the Ukrainian crisis. Since 1992 Belarus has been a member of the OSCE Minsk Group spearheading the OSCE's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Thus we see a certain tradition: it is Belarus that has been working to ensure peace, stability, security, resolution of conflicts in a rather turbulent region,” Piotr Petrovsky said.

“On the one hand, Belarus has always positioned itself as a nation that does not interfere in any conflicts, and, on the other hand, as a state that knows how to organize a negotiating process. “The President of Belarus has repeatedly stressed that we are ready to organize negotiating processes, because peace and stability in the region are critical to the stability of Belarus,” the expert said.

“Today we cannot do without the ‘integration of integrations’ idea, according to which different geopolitical blocs are not opposed to each other but interact, which will bring fruit, will help achieve a new level of development. Therefore, Belarus, as a country in the heart of Europe, is not interested in confrontation of geopolitical blocs, in conflicts among neighboring countries. Belarus is committed to integration, resolving conflicts, new levels of development,” said Piotr Petrovsky.

The process of normalization of the relations of Belarus with the West is in progress. The improvement of the relations of Belarus with the West will play a favorable role in the normalization of the relations between Russia and the West. “If our European partners express a strong interest, we can expect a decision to at least reduce the cost of visas this year and also the continuation of the work on a new framework agreement between Belarus and the European Union,” the expert believes.