Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 2 November (BelTA) - Belarus’ initiative on launching the negotiation process Helsinki-2 will help further the fight against many modern challenges and threats, Deputy Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Irina Velichko said during the interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees held as part of the work of the Third Committee of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Belarusian diplomat noted that the growth in the numbers of refugees in recent years was a direct consequence of wars and conflicts in some countries and regions. Many of such conflicts occurred because certain countries had violated norms and principles of international law.

In this regard, the Belarusian diplomat drew attention of the participants to the initiative of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on a new peacemaking process. The initiative is aimed at developing new constructive relations between the countries. Irina Velichko stressed that Minsk was ready to host such a dialogue. She expressed her conviction that the implementation of the Belarusian initiative would help move forward in addressing many of contemporary challenges and threats, including the threat posed by large-scale refugee flows.

The diplomat also stressed a particular relevance and significance of the UNHCR’s mandate in the current global situation characterized by a sharp increase in displaced people around the world.