Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 16 January (BelTA) – Belarus believes the OSCE member states should step up joint efforts to tackle global challenges, Belarus’ permanent representative in the OSCE Valery Voronetsky said at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna on 14 January in response to the statement of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Valery Voronetsky noted that Belarus stands for “further intensification of joint efforts to counter international terrorism and other global challenges such as drug trafficking and trafficking in human beings. The fight against these threats should remain a priority for the OSCE.”

Belarus also welcomes the intention to pay due attention to military and political affairs of the OSCE and arms control. “We think it is important to continue the substantive dialogue on the strengthening and development of the regime of control over conventional weapons and on measures to build trust and security in order to stop the arms buildup in the region, prevent further erosion of the military and political mechanisms, and relieve military tensions in the OSCE region,” Valery Voronetsky said.

On behalf of the delegation of Belarus, Valery Voronetsky extended condolences to the governments of Turkey and Germany, families and friends of those who died in the terrorist attack in Istanbul on 12 January and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He stressed that Belarus strongly condemns terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations and calls for more action to fight terrorism. “We are convinced that only through joint efforts can we defeat this global scourge and make the OSCE region a safe place,” Valery Voronetsky emphasized.