Events

MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – Belarus’ balanced approaches to most complicated issues on the regional and global agendas are concordant with approaches of other countries. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement during the opening ceremony of the international conference held on 19 May to review the 25 years of Belarus’ foreign policy, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei reminded that back in 1990 Belarus had its own diplomatic missions only in international organizations, primarily the United Nations Organization. Today Belarus’ diplomatic missions work in 59 countries across the globe. Ambassadors with concurrent accreditation represent Belarus in 116 countries.

The official stated that Belarus is now part of new integration projects. The country has expanded the circle of partners and allies and has built mutually beneficial models for cooperation with most of the world. Belarus has also reached new markets.

At the same time Vladimir Makei noted: “We understand very well that status quo is quite a provisional term in an increasingly dynamic world. It is necessary to constantly adapt our foreign policy efforts and foreign economic efforts to match emerging challenges in politics, economy, and other areas.”

As a key task the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs mentioned securing a more stable configuration of Belarusian foreign trade and distribution of export flows between the three main markets: the Eurasian Economic Union, the European Union, and the distant-arc countries. “But without reducing our presence on traditional markets,” noted Vladimir Makei.

While Belarus’ focus on the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union remains unwavering, efforts to secure new footholds, additional safety cushions, efforts to raise the awareness about Belarus in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, further export diversification, and the overall enhancement of political interaction between Minsk and remote partners require more work as well as daring and new decisions, including closer attention on the part of the Belarusian analytical community, stressed Vladimir Makei.

Among accomplishments Vladimir Makei mentioned the fact that Belarus’ voice sounds strong at major international platforms, primarily the United Nations Organization. The list of modern Belarusian global initiatives includes the recognition of diversity of ways of progressive development as a value of human civilization; support for medium-income countries in reaching the sustainable development goals; stronger international coordination in the fight against trafficking in persons; counteraction of trade in human organs; assertion of traditional family values; and cooperation in Chernobyl affairs.

“Belarus’ balanced approaches to most complicated matters on the regional and global agendas are concordant with approaches of other countries. This is why many of them become our adherents, even the countries we have certain troubles cooperating with,” noted Vladimir Makei.