Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus regards the refusal of the Czech side to ensure issuance of visas to the official delegation of the Republic of Belarus for participation in the Summit of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (Prague, November 21 –22, 2002) as a flagrant violation of the EAPC agreements on the right of each state to independently define the level if its representation at the Summit.

This unprecedented decision forced upon the Czech side is another step of an undisguised pressure on the Republic of Belarus. It is an evidence of non-independence of the Czech foreign policy, it demonstrates to what extent the Czech Republic disregards the decisions of EAPC of which it is a member.

The Republic of Belarus has conducted and will conduct a consistent and responsible policy in the sphere of international security and arms control, based on its own national interests. Belarus has made a contribution of principle importance in order not to allow proliferation of nuclear weapons by voluntarily and without preconditions renouncing its nuclear weapons and, within the framework of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe, terminating more conventional forces then the leading NATO states.

The decision of the Czech side does not allow the Belarusian side to participate at an appropriate level in the forum where the key issues of opposing the threats and risks of the 21 century will be discussed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus regards these actions of the Czech side as a dangerous precedent that questions the integrity of the Euro-Atlantic security system, its universality and efficiency.

Minsk, November 16, 2002