Events

25 Sep 2019

Belarus FM holds number of meetings as part of UN General Assembly

Photo courtesy of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MINSK, 25 September (BelTA) – Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei took part in the high level General Debate of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 24 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian ministry.

On the sidelines of the event the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs held a meeting with European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore. The parties agreed to continue Belarus-EU contacts, including within sensitive issues on the shared agenda.

Vladimir Makei also met with Saudi Arabia Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf. The ministers reaffirmed mutual interest in expanding cooperation between Belarus and Saudi Arabia, including in such areas as agriculture, industry, and IT. The parties agreed to promote more active work of the joint Belarusian-Saudi Cooperation Committee which last met in 2016. The parties also talked over the expansion of mutual diplomatic presence. The minister of foreign affairs of Saudi Arabia confirmed the invitation of the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs to pay a working visit to Riyadh.

Vladimir Makei also held a meeting with his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz. The ministers discussed bilateral cooperation and shared information on forthcoming international events in their countries. The Belarusian minister of foreign affairs invited his Polish counterpart to attend the Eastern Partnership high-level event in Minsk in early October. The event will be attended by high-ranking officials from the EU countries and other states. Vladimir Makei also informed Jacek Czaputowicz on a high degree of preparedness to sign the Belarus-EU agreements on visa facilitation and readmission. The news was positively welcomed by the Polish side. The ministers confirmed readiness for further strengthening of cooperation on the bilateral and multilateral agendas.

In the context of the well-known decisions of the Polish leadership on the deployment of additional contingents of the United States Armed Forces in the country, both the parties outlined fundamental approaches to ensuring peace and security in the European region.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan Asmaa Mohammed Abdallah informed Vladimir Makei on the latest developments in the internal political life of her country and thanked Belarus for its support in building a peaceful and stable Sudan. The parties took a detailed look into the joint projects implemented by Belarus in Sudan, including the construction of meat and dairy enterprises, plants to assemble Belarusian equipment and extraction of commercial minerals. The parties confirmed their interest in further development of relations and deeper cooperation in all the areas, including as part of the joint commission on trade and economic cooperation.

The need to strengthen Belarus-Cyprus political cooperation and expand business contacts, exchange experience in promoting development of small and medium-sized companies were discussed at a meeting of Vladimir Makei with Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and political consultations. They also discussed relations between Belarus and the European Union, including the forthcoming Belarus-EU events, and also Belarus-Cyprus cooperation on multilateral platforms.

Vladimir Makei continues his participation in the UN international events in New York. The Belarusian minister of foreign affairs is expected to speak at the 74th session of the General Assembly on 26 September.