Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – There are real prospects for step-by-step rapprochement of Belarus and the West. The statement was made by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier after he met with Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei on 18 November, BelTA has learned.

The German Minister of Foreign Affairs told the press conference: “In the last few days, weeks and months you have unfortunately grown used to situations when two ministers approach mass media and talk about anticrisis management, efforts to deal with major crises and conflicts in the Middle East. Naturally consequences of the terrorist attacks in Paris have been in the spotlight in the last few days. Foreign policy has to focus on these matters. But foreign policy should not lose the sight of long-term processes. After things have been done the tried and tested way for so long reassuring changes happen in the end if the chances that open up are exploited. This is why I am particularly glad to welcome my Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei, who is on a visit in Germany. We’ve had contacts during several international conferences, in particular, in OSCE, of which both countries are members. But it is the first visit of the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs in many years. We both understand the visit is supposed to send an important signal.”

Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted that in Germany a lot has been said about Minsk as a synonym of hope for reduced tensions and a political resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. “We remember the sleepless night in Minsk on 11 February when after lengthy talks that lasted nearly 20 hours a result that became at least a temporary turning point in the series of escalating events in eastern Ukraine was at last achieved. Looking back now I invariably believe that the Minsk agreements are important. They still represent the basis that we can rely on to secure further progress just like, in particular, during a recent meeting in the Normandy format,” said the German Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In his words, the real state of affairs indicates that a solution to all the issues has yet to be found. “On the one hand, the situation has calmed down a bit, weapon systems have been withdrawn. But at the same time we see ceasefire violated every day. These events are once again on the rise and threaten to disrupt the peaceful resolution of the conflict. This is why we have to talk to Russia and Ukraine again to return to the state of affairs that was observed in the last three months, that is ceasefire without serious violations,” noted the German Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The negotiations of Vladimir Makei and Frank-Walter Steinmeier also touched upon the advancement of bilateral relations between Belarus and Germany and between Belarus and the European Union. The German Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “This conversation, this meeting has become possible only after certain changes happened in Belarus.” He mentioned the release of some political figures from prison. These figures are considered political prisoners in the West. Apart from that, Frank-Walter Steinmeier mentioned the peaceful organization of the presidential election in Belarus and considerable improvements in comparison with the election campaign of 2010.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed satisfaction with Belarus’ readiness to think about the OSCE’s proposals concerning the improvement of election laws and about prospects of interaction with political foundations in Germany.

“The quality of our dialogue has changed considerably. It has improved,” said the German official. “All these factors have shaped a situation in which we have a window of opportunity and real prospects for step-by-step rapprochement between Belarus and the West. I say it and Vladimir Makei knows it because I’ve always considered abnormal the lack of normal partnering relations between two countries such as Germany and Belarus — a major country to the east of us. I’ve always believed that the normalization of bilateral relations meets our common interests. This is why we should undertake a new serious attempt to restore the necessary mutual trust.”

The German Minister of Foreign Affairs also added that the German side had contributed to the decision on suspending European sanctions against Belarus. “We have an understanding with European partners about certain trust in advance. We have made the decision hoping to see this year’s trends in Belarus continue. After today’s talks I am absolutely confident they will continue and will grow stronger,” concluded Frank-Walter Steinmeier.