Events

Belarus set to join WTO, de facto lives by WTO standards
The statement was made by Belarusian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Yeudachenka during the session of the working group on Belarus’ accession to the World Trade Organization in Geneva...

Belarus ready to continue dialogue with Council of Europe, OSCE to improve electoral practice
Andrei Naumovich, Chairman of the Permanent Commission for Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, said at a session of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg...

MP: Positive momentum in Belarus-PACE relations
Andrei Naumovich stressed that the Belarusian Parliament is ready to engage in an open dialogue with the European institutions. The MP noted positive momentum in the relations with PACE. Belarusian representatives take part in various activities of the parliamentary assembly...

Lukashenko urges to optimize Interior Ministry, warns against mindless staff reduction
The head of state was briefed on the performance of law enforcement bodies in 2016, the plan of organizational and practical events aimed at raising the efficiency of the Interior Ministry. The optimization of the ministry’s structure was also on the agenda...

Lukashenko congratulates Vietnam President on 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations
“It is great that over this period we have built a solid system of all-round cooperation relying on openness, trust, and equal interaction,” the message of greetings reads...

Belarus, Mongolia have big untapped potential for cooperation development
“Twenty-five years ago Mongolia was among the first countries to recognize the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Belarus. This brotherly support was very important for our young state”...

Wiktorin: Internship program at French National School of Administration promotes Belarus-EU ties
Andrea Wiktorin emphasized that the internship programs initiated by the French ministry in cooperation with the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs were financed under the MOST program of the EU project aimed at expanding professional contacts between citizens of Belarus and the EU...

First Deputy Foreign Minister comments on Belarus’ WTO entry talks
"Today the Belarusian delegation met with Chairman of the Working Party on Belarus’ accession to the WTO, Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Kemal Madenoglu. We held a meeting with WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo, and also held talks with representatives of the WTO Accessions Division,” said Andrei Yevdochenko...

Belarus President’s grants awarded to 93 scientists and researchers in 2017
The executive order aims to support talented specialists, create favorable conditions for the development of the healthcare, scientific, educational, and cultural potential of Belarus...

Minsk to host ministerial consultations on cooperation in CIS in early February
The participants of the consultations will discuss the role of the foreign political departments in the implementation of the CIS Heads of State Council’s decisions on the adjustment of the CIS to the present-day challenges and also talk over the draft plan of multi-level ministerial consultations for the ongoing year...

Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus to visit Mogilev 4-5 February
The program of the visit includes meetings with representatives of the Mogilev Oblast Executive Committee, the Mogilev and Mstislavl diocese. The Apostolic Nuncio will visit the Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and St. Stanislaus to talk to the Catholic ministers of religion, monks and nuns of Mogilev Oblast. He will also pay a visit to the Mogilev History Museum and the St. Anthony of Padua parish...

Moldova to adopt Belarusian film-making, librarianship practices
Monica Babuc said a few words about the key joint events that have been held over the years of cooperation. She stressed that the mutual organization of the Days of Culture provides an opportunity to step up the bilateral relations. The minister also emphasized that Belarusian and Moldovan libraries and artists have developed strong collaboration ties...

Belarus prioritizes NPP safety in cooperation with IAEA
Belarus’ Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk told at the presentation of the results of the IAEA’s SEED mission in Belarus...

IAEA: Belarusian authorities have taken into account all possible external hazards to BelNPP
“The IAEA mission concluded that the Belarusian authorities have taken into due account all external hazards that may pose risks to the BelNPP in developing the design of the plant,” Greg Rzentkowski noted...

Belarus bids to host international space congress in 2018
“It was an initiative of our cosmonauts to hold the international space congress in Belarus. Our country is ready to provide a platform for this event in 2018,” Sergei Zolotoi said. The letter with a proposal to host the congress has been signed by such famous Belarusian cosmonauts as Vladimir Kovalenok and Oleg Novitsky...

Belarus president comments on temporary accommodation centers for foreigners
The comments were made as Alexander Lukashenko authorized guidelines on guarding the state border in 2017...

Belarus president dispels fears over five-day visa-free travel rules
"The abolition of visas does not mean cancellation of border control. It will remain in place. The traveler’s identity will always be checked. Same as in Russia: you show your passport and have it checked with a computer. If everything is fine, you can enter the country for five days. If there are any problems, the computer will show it right away,” the Belarusian leader said...

Lukashenko sends birthday greetings to Mintimer Shaimiev
“People in Belarus appreciate you as a wise and far-sighted politician. You have done a lot for the social and economic wellbeing of Tatarstan, peace and stability in the region. Your generosity, wisdom, and balanced approaches in public affairs deserve sincere respect,” the felicitation message reads...

Snopkov: Belarus and China support each other in international arena
“Belarus and China stay committed to the principles of the inadmissibility of intervention in the domestic affairs of states and believe that international disputes and disagreements must be resolved exclusively through dialogue and cooperation based on equality and mutual respect, and not through unilateral actions and force,” Nikolai Snopkov stressed...

Belarusian-Russian relations discussed
According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Igor Petrishenko and Grigory Karasin also talked over Belarus-Russia cooperation in integration associations. “The parties shared opinions on the international and regional agenda of mutual interest,” the Russian ministry said...