Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – Marking 25 years of Belarus’ foreign policy is a good opportunity to assess where we are now, to mark our coordinates in the system of foreign policy vectors, and verify the plans for the future, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said as he opened the international conference 25 Years of Belarus’ Foreign Policy, BelTA has learned.

The minister noted that the 25^th anniversary of Belarus’ foreign policy and 25 years of establishing diplomatic relations with many countries are widely discussed at different levels and in the media today. This is a good occasion to make a historical review of our development way, Vladimir Makei stressed.

The minister thanked everyone who accepted the invitation for the Minsk Dialogue meeting, his colleagues who led the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in different time, MPs, Belarusian and foreign diplomats who have made significant contribution to the development of the Belarusian foreign policy.

“The development of the Belarusian foreign policy over the past 25 years is an exceptionally broad theme which has been discussed by the head of state many times. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working hard on laying out its vision of the current stage in the Belarusian history through a series of publications, interviews, and an exchange of congratulatory letters with foreign countries,” Vladimir Makei said.

The minister also suggested taking a look at the Belarusian foreign policy beyond the diplomatic point of view. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is at the forefront of the foreign policy. This does not mean, however, that we have ‘monopolized’ it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs makes its contribution to ensuring conditions for the development and modernization of Belarus, defends its political and economic interests on the international arena. Our major task, however, has always been to involve, to the greatest extent possible, government bodies of all levels, business community and the civil society in the foreign political processes,” Vladimir Makei said.