Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei participates in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly

20 September 2017

20-09-2017

On September 19, 2017 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, took part in the opening of the high-level general debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

The Head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry also held a number of bilateral meetings at the UN Headquarters.

During the meeting with UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner, the sides discussed cooperation in overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, as well as cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals.

Vladimir Makei noted that Belarus plans to hold a regional conference for national coordinators from Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States in Minsk in early 2018 to exchange experience of SDGs implementation.

The Belarusian diplomat invited Achim Steiner to pay a visit to Belarus.

The Head of UNDP confirmed readiness for further cooperation with Belarus on overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. A.Steiner also expressed interest in further development of cooperation in achieving SDGs.

The Belarusian Minister and the UNDP Head exchanged views on supporting middle-income countries, discussed prospects for repositioning of the UN development system.

During the meeting with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačićthe, issues of trade and economic cooperation, interaction within international organizations were discussed. The sides evaluated the progress in implementing joint projects. The Ministers also agreed on a number of joint near-term events.

Issues of bilateral cooperation were in the spotlight at the meeting with the Finland’s Foreign Minister, Timo Soini.

At the request of the interlocutor, the Head of the Foreign Ministry also informed on the progress of military exercises “West-2017” conducted jointly by Belarus and Russia, emphasising transparency of the event, as well as compliance of the exercises in accordance with international legal obligations. In addition, the parties exchanged two countries’ views on human rights issues.

On the same day, Minister V.Makei held a meeting with the leadership of the American Jewish Committee. The sides exchanged views on preserving and perpetuating places connected with the history of the Jewish people in Belarus.

The topical issues of the international agenda were also discussed. Leadership of the Committee highly appreciated the role of Belarus in the Ukrainian crisis settlement. The parties expressed interest in strengthening economic contacts. Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei invited the leadership of the AJC to visit Belarus in order to study the prospects for economic interaction between representatives of the American business community and partners in Belarus.

Within the first day of the high-level discussion of the UN General Assembly, the Minister took part in the event dedicated to the implementation of the international decade “Water for Sustainable Development”.

V.Makei also had a number of working contacts with foreign ministers of the countries of Europe, CIS and other regions.