Events

MINSK, 21 July (BelTA) – The possibility of Belarus’ performing the functions of the secretariat in the negotiating process on Ukraine was discussed during the talks with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Serbia’s First Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic in Minsk, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told media.

"I would not want to go into details as this could cause unnecessary speculation on the subject. You all know our position on Ukraine. We want peace and calm there as quickly as possible. But this requires a sincere interest of all states involved in the conflict," said Vladimir Makei.

He stressed that the Minsk agreements are the sole basis to achieve peace, and the tripartite contact group is the tool to implement the relevant agreements. "It is our common responsibility to ensure that the tripartite contact group should work efficiently. When I said that we were ready to provide maximum assistance, I meant that we, as the host country for the contact group, are ready to provide any assistance, including serving as secretariat. The main thing is that the contact group achieve concrete results,” Vladimir Makei said.

“These are complex issues. They need approval from all the parties. We have been discussing them with the OSCE and discussed them with Mr Dacic today,” Vladimir Makei added.

The Belarusian minister praised the efforts of Ivica Dacic as OSCE Chairman-in-Office in reaching concrete results in the negotiations on Ukraine.

As was earlier informed, during the recent visit to Ufa Vladimir Makei told the Russia 24 TV Channel about Belarus’ readiness to act as a secretariat in negotiations on Ukraine. “We are ready to be more than a platform. If necessary, we can act as a secretariat. Certain partners of ours have made such requests. We are ready to provide any other kind of assistance for the sake of securing peace and accord in Ukraine as soon as possible. From our point of view, to make it happen, all the sides in the conflict should first of all demonstrate interest and readiness for a dialogue,” said the minister.