Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – Belarus could take on the role of a moderator in the dialogue on Ukraine, Wolfgang Sender, Country Director for Belarus at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany), said at the international conference “One Year of Minsk-II Accords: Achievements, Challenges, Lessons Learned” on 11 February, BelTA has learned.

“Why does Belarus attract Europe as a platform for conflict resolution? Belarus is a neutral territory that knows how to communicate with both the West and the East. Minsk could become a new Vienna, Geneva, or Helsinki for the benefit of all. To achieve this, Belarus should be more active, be not just a place but a moderator facilitating the talks,” Wolfgang Sender believes.

In his words, if Belarus assumes more responsibility, it will be able to moderate the dialogue on Ukraine. Yet the country will need economic assistance for the development of diplomatic initiatives and the sanctions need to be lifted. “Today we should thank the Belarusian side for everything they have done,” Wolfgang Sender stressed.

Experts of the Normandy Four member states (Germany, Russia, France and Ukraine) have gathered in the Belarusian capital to analyze the progress, failures, lessons and future challenges in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

The participants of the conference are expected to work out recommendations for all the parties to the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Belarusian experts and political scientists act as moderators.