Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 March (BelTA) – Belarus is saddened and alarmed by the highest level of mistrust in recent years and by growing enmity between individual nations, which wield an overwhelming part of the planet’s military potential. Yuri Ambrazevich, Belarus’ permanent representative in the UN office and other international organizations in Geneva, made the statement in his address to the UN Conference on Disarmament on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the Khatyn massacre, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.

In his speech Yuri Ambrazevich underlined that with regret, deep concern, and alarm Belarus notes the highest level of mistrust in the last few years and growing enmity between individual nations, the most important participants of the international security system, which possess an overwhelming part of the planet’s military potential. Belarus is also saddened by increasing confrontational rhetoric, growing military spending, and the escalation of conflicts.

The Belarusian diplomat reminded that the tragedy of Khatyn was a symbol of terror and suffering of the civilian population for generations of Belarusians and people, who live in post-Soviet countries. Yuri Ambrazevich said he hopes that historical memory will not allow crossing the line and suffering irreversible consequences for the existing civilization.

Yuri Ambrazevich mentioned the important role the UN Conference on Disarmament played in ensuring and maintaining peace in the Cold War period. Belarus’ representative called upon the international community to use the conference as much as possible as a platform to reduce tensions and build up trust.