Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 22 November (BelTA) - Belarus is interested in closer pragmatic cooperation with the Council of Europe, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said during a joint meeting of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia in Minsk.

Vladimir Makei noted that despite some positive developments in the relations between Belarus and the European Union, the current level of cooperation between Minsk and Brussels is less advanced than between Brussels and other countries in the post-Soviet space - EU partners.

“Belarus is interested in promoting pragmatic cooperation with the Council of Europe. Belarus would like to accede to its legal instruments. However, not being a member of the Council of Europe, Belarus does not have the opportunity to advance its initiatives,” the minister said.

For his part, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said that his country welcomes the build-up of contacts between Belarus and the Council of Europe and will continue to support Belarus in this regard.

The parties are planning to discuss Belarus-Russia cooperation in the UN system and other international organizations, the collaboration with the European Union and the Council of Europe, the alignment of integration processes, and also the measures to counter attempts to falsify history and review the outcome of the Second World War.

The parties are expected to sign a resolution of the joint meeting and the plan of ministerial consultations for 2017.