Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus V.Makei participates in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central European Initiative

16-06-2016

On June 16, 2016 in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei took part in the annual meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central European Initiative.

During the event the Foreign Ministers of the CEI Member States discussed the current situation in the region and perspectives of further development of the Organisation. The discussion was focused on issues related to the migration crisis in Europe, combatting organised crime, fighting human  trafficking and corruption, expansion of cross-border and regional cooperation, development of transport and energy infrastructure, ensuring macroeconomic stability and attracting investment.

The Ministers adopted a consensus decision on the Presidency of the Republic of Belarus in the CEI in 2017. It is the first time that Belarus will chair this European subregional organisation.

For reference: the Central European Initiative is a regional organisation founded in 1989 by Italy, Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. At present the CEI unites 18 countries (Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine). Belarus is a Member State of the CEI since 1996.

In 2016 the Presidency in the CEI is exercised by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In his statement during the plenary session of the Ministerial meeting the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei underlined the significance of the CEI as an instrumental and meaningful platform for development of dialogue and pragmatic cooperation in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe with the aim of enhancing stability in the region. Special emphasis was made on the importance of making full use of the Organisation’s potential in fostering sustainable economic development and promoting interconnections.

During its CEI Presidency in 2017 Belarus plans to devote particular attention to the topic of connectivity and complementarity between various integration processes in Europe in the context of simplifying trade, harmonizing standards and procedures, developing transport and logistics. At the same time Belarus will continue the efforts to ensure a balanced geographic approach in the CEI’s activities, as well as to expand its outreach and interaction with other international and regional organisations.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina I.Crnadak

On the margins of the event Vladimir Makei held a series of working meetings, in particular, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak, the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Lilian Darii and the CEI’s Secretary General Giovanni Caracciolo di Vietri. The sides discussed the modalities of further interaction during the Presidency of Belarus in the CEI, as well as relevant issues of bilateral cooperation.

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