Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) - Belarus remains committed to the nuclear disarmament process, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov said during the roundtable on confidence-building measures in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament, BelTA learned from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Valentin Rybakov stressed Belarus’ commitment to the process of nuclear disarmament, and the country’s special contribution to the international stability and security. The deputy minister recalled that 20 years ago Belarus renounced nuclear weapons, thus reaffirming its role as a regional leader in the area of security,” the ministry said.

As the latest and vivid example of Belarus’ efforts to ensure international stability and security, the diplomat cited the completion of the destruction by Belarus of anti-personnel mines PFM-1 within the framework of the Ottawa Convention. The deputy minister called upon the states which have not yet signed and ratified the CTBT to do so as soon as possible.

The event was attended by Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Angela Kane, the co-chair of the UN Panel of the Wise who served as the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Under-Secretary-General for Management in the United Nations, heads of the foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Belarus, representatives of government and academia.