Opinions & Interviews

Vladimir Makei noted that there is a need to remember Belarus’ contribution to the defeat of fascism, the losses that the country suffered. “For us, for the entire Belarusian nation, Victory Day is a sacred day. We lost one third of our people in the Great Patriotic War. The UN General Assembly declared 8 and 9 May as the Days of Remembrance and Reconciliation,” the minister said. He noted that countries that were on different sides during the war years should not perceive each other as enemies today. “It is necessary to build policies on the basis of friendship and partnership,” Vladimir Makei said.

According to the diplomat, in the run-up to the Victory Day there is need to reflect on the current challenges and threats that threatens the mankind. These include terrorism, wars in different regions of the world. In the past Belarus did a lot for the whole world, the humanity and will continue to do so, Vladimir Makei is convinced. “We are not a source of any danger, conflict. We are the donors of security in Europe. We protect our shared border with the EU from illegal migrants, cross-border crime, trafficking in human beings, etc.,” Vladimir Makei said.

Ambassadors and their families were invited to visit the Stalin’s Line complex. The diplomats could get familiar with the historical past of Belarus, its terrible page. The battle for Berlin was reconstructed for the guests. “The events should serve to remind everyone that this should never happen again,” Vladimir Makei said.

Victory Day is traditionally widely celebrated by the Belarusian diplomats. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions pay tribute to the memory of the fallen soldiers. A number of diplomatic missions already took part in the events dedicated to the 72^nd anniversary of the end of World War II in Austria, Vietnam, Israel, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, the United States, and the Czech Republic. In these countries the diplomats attended flower ceremonies at the war monuments and memorials, rallies and memorial ceremonies, and also organized concerts, exhibitions and events for the Belarusian diasporas.