Opinions & Interviews

Makei: Belarus’ peace initiatives upheld by foreign partners, including CSTO

Vladimir Makei. An archive photo

BISHKEK, 27 November (BelTA) – Foreign partners, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization, are very responsive to Belarus’ peace initiatives, Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told reporters in Bishkek on 27 November, BelTA has learned.

Among the initiatives Belarus has put forward recently are launching a new large-scale international dialogue similar to the Helsinki process, establishing a digital good-neighborliness belt and signing a declaration on non-proliferation of short- and intermediate-range missiles in Europe after termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

“Today we have discussed this matter, the initiatives that have recently been put forward by the Belarusian head of state. Some of our partners, in particular, the foreign minister of Russia that will assume presidency [in the CSTO] next year also upheld these initiatives,” Vladimir Makei said.

The minister added that the recent meetings with European partners suggest that these initiatives started gaining ground in Western countries. Vladimir Makei emphasized that Belarusian initiatives seek to boost stability in the region and expressed confidence that they will become more popular. “Implementation of these ideas is very important for Belarus and all countries of the region,” he said. 

A joint session of the CSTO Foreign Ministers Council, the Defense Ministers Council, and the Committee of Secretaries of Security Councils took place in Bishkek on 27 November on the eve of the CSTO Collective Security Council. Participants of the session discussed about twenty items, most of which will be discussed by the leaders of the CSTO member states during the forthcoming session of the Collective Security Council. The agenda of the summit includes problems of international and regional security, the reinforcement of the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, interaction with the United Nations Organization in implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, coordination of foreign policy efforts of the CSTO member states, the buildup of the military potential of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the improvement of mechanisms designed to counteract challenges and threats, including in the sphere of information security. Events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 are on the agenda as well.

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