Opinions & Interviews

Kochanova: Belarus promotes initiatives to restore trust between countries

Natalya Kochanova

MINSK, 15 February (BelTA) – Belarus has always staunchly supported initiatives aimed at restoring trust and overcoming disagreements between nations, Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova said at the first meeting of the parliament speakers of the countries from the Group of Friends of Neutrality. The participants of the video conference meeting discussed the role of parliaments in strengthening peace and dialogue, BelTA has learned.

“For many years, our country has been a donor of regional and international security and has acted as a platform for negotiating the de-escalation of conflicts, including in Ukraine. Today, the initiative of the president of Belarus on launching a global security and cooperation dialogue is more relevant than ever. In the name of preserving international peace and building a better future for our contemporaries and future generations, we call on all people of good will to join this strategic initiative,” the speaker said.

She emphasized that Belarus remembers history well and therefore strongly condemns and resolutely opposes any attempts to glorify Nazism and falsify the events of the past. “A testimony to that is the overwhelming support for the updated Constitution draft at the referendum. The new Constitution contained the provision saying that the state preserves historical truth and commemorates the heroic feat of Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War, while preservation of the historical memory of the heroic past of Belarusian people and patriotism are the duty of every citizen,” Natalya Kochanova noted.

The speaker recalled the landmark law “On preventing the rehabilitation of Nazism” that seeks to combat this negative phenomenon on multiple levels, as well as the law “On the genocide of Belarusian people” that provides for legal recognition of genocide committed by Nazi criminals and their accomplices during the Great Patriotic War and the post-war period.

The General Prosecutor’s Office opened a criminal case on the genocide of Belarusian people. The evidence collected during the investigation allows Belarus to claim recognition as a victim of genocide with international organizations and to stop attempts to devalue the historical truth.

This year the country will mark an important event - the 80th anniversary of the liberation from the Nazi invaders, and in 2025 Belarus will mark the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. An international conference “The Crown of Thorns of Nazism” is to be held under the auspices of the Council of the Republic. Natalya Kochanova invited her colleagues to take part in it.

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