Events

MINSK, 22 September (BelTA) - During the High Level Segment of the 71^st session of the UN General Assembly Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei held a number of bilateral meetings on 21 September, BelTA learnt from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the meeting with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Miro Kovac the parties agreed on speedy establishment of the Belarusian-Croatian intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, as envisaged by the bilateral agreement on economic cooperation. “The sides expressed their support to the practice of political consultations between the two ministries and discussed further cooperation in the framework of international organizations,” the ministry said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea Osman Saleh Mohammed apprised the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs of the political situation in his country. The parties agreed that country-specific resolutions should not be used as a pretext to intervene in the domestic affairs of sovereign states. The ministers also agreed to add impetus to bilateral political, economic and trade cooperation.

During the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Vladimir Makei highlighted Germany’s role in strengthening the process of normalization of relations between Belarus and the European Union. The ministers exchanged opinions on the regional situation and on advancing cooperation within the OSCE on European security issues. The parties discussed possibility of holding a series of joint events this year which, in the opinion of both the ministers, will expand the positive atmosphere in bilateral relations.

At the meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland, the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed the existing interest in advancing cooperation between Belarus and the Council of Europe in various areas. Vladimir Makei stressed the importance to involve Belarusian experts in the meetings of the Council of Europe working organs. The sides underscored the significance of Belarus’ broader participation in the Council’s legal instruments.

On the same day, the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs took part in the ministerial meeting at the UN headquarters in New York in support of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The Treaty was adopted in 1996 in order to ban all nuclear tests and explosions but has not yet become operational. India, Pakistan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea still need to sign the document for its entry into force. Five countries (China, Egypt, Israel, Iran, and the United States) signed but have not ratified it.

In the statement on the occasion of the meeting, Belarus expressed full support for international efforts to ban nuclear testing and achieve nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The decision made by Belarus 20 years ago to renounce nuclear weapons is cited as an example of responsible governance that can advance nuclear weapon-free world.

At the end of the meeting the participants adopted a joint statement envisaging further international efforts to achieve early entry into force of the CTBT.