Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) – Belarus’ role in the international arena has been reassessed thanks to its sincere peacekeeping efforts, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the session of the Ministry’s board held on 10 March to discuss last year’s performance of the diplomatic service, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei stressed that “Belarus’ role in the world, its contribution to regional security have been reassessed thanks to our sincere peacekeeping efforts.” In his words, Minsk has become the main venue for talks on the Ukrainian conflict.

According to the minister, 2015 was a successful year for Belarus’ foreign policy. Belarus presided in the Eurasian Economic Union. Among the main results of the previous year was the progress made in promoting the EEU coordinated industrial policy, the liberalization of the market of transport services, and the development of the common pharmaceutical market. However, Vladimir Makei emphasized that a lot of efforts are still needed to make it all work.

Vladimir Makei added that in 2015 the country managed to overcome some of the West’s stereotypes in terms of cooperation with Belarus.