Opinions & Interviews

Minsk ready to host high-level event timed to Eastern Partnership’s 10th anniversary

MINSK, 22 March (BelTA) – If the final decision is made in favor of arranging a high-level event in Minsk to mark the tenth anniversary of the Eastern Partnership Initiative, Belarus is ready to do everything necessary for the meeting to help reduce confrontation and create stability in the region. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the relevant statement as he and foreign diplomats visited the WW2 memorial complex Khatyn in Logoisk District, Minsk Oblast on 22 March, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei pointed out that Belarus pursues a goal-seeking constructive policy aimed at bringing about more stability in the region. “We pursue a policy aimed at enhancing stability and security in the region and we are against confrontational attitudes,” the minister of foreign affairs said.

Vladimir Makei said that the possibility of arranging high-level events in one of the Eastern Partnership Initiative countries, including in Belarus, had been discussed. “Why not? A Munich Security Conference Core Group meeting took place in Minsk. Its organizers decided Belarus was the most acceptable country where representatives of different sides could discuss problems and try to find ways to resolve them,” the minister of foreign affairs noted. “If the decision to host a high-level meeting within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Initiative is made, we will also do everything possible for the meeting to encourage greater stability in the region and on the continent. And encourage lesser total confrontation, which, unfortunately, exists.”

Asked who will represent Belarus in Brussels in May during the main event timed to the jubilee of the Eastern Partnership Initiative, Vladimir Makei said that the format of the event had not been determined yet. “Yes, the organization of a ministerial meeting was mentioned. They say there are plans for some top-level meeting. If, theoretically speaking, it is a dinner of heads of state, which is a common event within the framework of the European Union, we will see. If it is possible to present our own policy, a stance, we will submit the relevant proposal to the head of state. We haven’t directly discussed the matter yet,” Vladimir Makei noted.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks