Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 27 October (BelTA) – Small countries can tackle global challenges only by participating in integration processes. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement on 27 October as he summed up results of the international conference “Laying the foundation in the UNECE region for economic integration and sustainable development towards 2030”, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus is a small country, medium in size, but such countries make up the majority. These countries cannot handle their problems on their own particularly in periods of financial and economic crises. This is why we consider participation in integration processes as the only way out,” said the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Vladimir Makei noted that economic processes are affected by politics. “Belarus is located at the line that divides eastern integration processes and western ones. We feel this line as strongly as no other country can. We suffer from mutual sanctions between Russia and the European Union. Our economy is an open one and is geared for export. We feel the consequences,” noted the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs. “Large countries will come to terms sooner or later but small countries will suffer from such situations much more. This is why we see dialogue — a calm dialogue of equals full of mutual respect — as the only way out.”

Vladimir Makei pointed out that it is possible to argue long and hard about what level the dialogue should be, however, it is necessary to be realists and start with small steps that will gradually expand the positive space and integration processes.

In his opinion, the conference “Laying the foundation in the UNECE region for economic integration and sustainable development towards 2030” was one of such steps. “I hope that our conference will indeed become an important step in implementing the absolutely right idea of integration of integrations,” concluded the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs.