Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 May (BelTA) – Belarus is committed to ensuring full transparency of military exercises, Deputy Assistant of NATO Secretary General James Appathurai said when speaking at the international forum “Eastern Europe: In Search of Security for All” on 24 May, BelTA has learned.

Belarus seeks to reduce tensions, to improve the dialogue. “We need to promote transparency when it comes to the conduct of military exercises. Belarus is fully consistent with the letter and spirit of law in this regard. NATO reacts appropriately to such aspirations,” said James Appathurai.

He urged to return to transparency and predictability in military matters. He expressed the view that real improvement of the situation in Eastern Europe directly depends on the improvement of relations between East and West, between Russia and NATO in particular. “The region would benefit from this,” James Appathurai said.

The international forum “Eastern Europe: In Search of Security for All” organized by the Minsk Dialogue initiative is running in the Belarusian capital on 23-25 May. Minsk Dialogue Forum 2018 is expected to launch a large annual gathering of leading experts from Eastern Europe, the EU, Russia, the United States, and China. Minsk hosts a brand new platform for discussions about the present and the future of the regional and international security.

The conference is attended by 350 experts and officials from more than 40 countries. Speakers include OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, former CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha, Director General of the Permanent International Secretariat of the Council of the Baltic Sea States Maira Mora, and former Chairperson of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen.