Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 September (BelTA) - Helsinki 2 is intended to revive a true spirit of cooperation in the interests of peace in Europe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Austria, Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna Alena Kupchyna said at the conference entitled “Perspectives for Sustainable Peace in Europe: The UN Vision, the Role of Parliamentarians and Civil Society” that was held in Vienna on 15 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Alena Kupchyna spoke during Session III “Europe-Eurasia and Balkans: Building Trust and Securing Cooperation”. She stressed that there is no alternative to inclusive dialogue and interstate cooperation. “In this regard, she drew attention to the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus to launch a new Helsinki process in order to diffuse tensions and revive a true spirit of cooperation in the interests of peace and common security in Europe,” the press service said.

The Belarusian ambassador emphasized the need to overcome confrontation, block thinking and dividing lines, expand economic cooperation and promote dialogue between integration structures on the European continent, overcome trade and technical barriers, improve transport and digital connectivity, develop genuine international partnerships in such areas as human trafficking, drug trafficking, migration and so on.

The international conference “Perspectives for Sustainable Peace in Europe: The UN Vision, the Role of Parliamentarians and Civil Society” was co-organized by the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in connection with the International Day of Peace. Attending the event was OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen, parliamentarians from Austria, Italy, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, representatives of the scientific community and civil society.