Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei visits Geneva

09-04-2019

On April 9, 2019 during his visit to Geneva, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, participated in the High-level segment of the 68th session of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

In his statement, V.Makei noticed the need to strengthen economic integration and trade relations in the pan-European region. In this context, Foreign Minister underlined the unique role of UNECE as the only operational and effective platform in Europe on economic and social development issues, which includes all countries of the region on the equal basis. The Minister also expressed the support of Belarus for the leadership efforts of UNECE Secretariat to revitalize the work of the member states of the Commission on inter-sectoral topics that have unifying potential and are of practical interest to both politicians and experts.

V.Makei called on experts from all the countries of the European region to continue focused work to further harmonize economic rules, standards and practices, to establish greater interdependence of states with a long-term outlook on creation of a single economic pan-European space. Establishment of such a space would be a guarantee of peace, stability and prosperity not only for Belarusians, but also for all the inhabitants of the continent. As a strategic issue in the fulfilment of this target, the Minister emphasized the particular importance of the earliest possible establishment of direct contacts between the supranational bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union.

On the same day, V.Makei met with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General at the Conference on Disarmament, Michael Møller.

V.Makei and M.Møller stated the growth of international tension and the degradation of the traditional system of ensuring international peace and security.

The sides reaffirmed the need to counter such tendencies through the strengthening of multilateral international institutions.

V.Makei informed the Director-General about the initiative of Belarus to launch a comprehensive dialogue on global security issues, as well as to host a series of relevant expert events in Minsk on this topic in 2018–2019.

The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva welcomed the contribution of Belarus to regional and global security, including an active support to revitalization of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. M.Møller drew attention to new challenges and threats in the field of disarmament, associated, in his opinion, with scientific progress and the enhancement of capacities of non-state actors. The Director-General supported the initiative readiness of Belarus to work on these issues both in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and in the UN General Assembly in New York.

The parties as well focused on possibilities of expanding cooperation between Belarus and the UN Secretariat in Geneva on promoting the concept of sustainable development in our country.

During the visit, Foreign Minister of Belarus also met with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Olga Algayerova.

V.Makei expressed appreciation of the level of cooperation between Belarusian Government and UNECE. Foreign Minister stressed the relevance of technical assistance projects implemented by UNECE for Belarusian Ministries in the areas of ecology, energy conservation, housing and communal policy, aging of population, innovation regulation, development of public-private partnership and a number of other areas. This work makes a direct contribution to the improvement of socio-economic relations in Belarus.

Minister reaffirmed the strategic commitment of Belarus to UNECE mandate which was established to promote the economic integration of European countries and expand their economic cooperation with other regions. In this regard, V.Makei stated the natural interest of Belarus in strengthening the Commission and intention to contribute to this, including through participation in the governing bodies of UNECE.

The UNECE Executive Secretary praised the work of the Government of Belarus in implementing the concept of Sustainable Development, the effective measures of the state in implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their indicators in Belarus’ national programs.

O.Algaerova welcomed the leadership of Belarus in promoting the concept of integrations, the strategic goal of which is to prevent the emergence in Europe of new dividing lines between the main regional economic unions.

She also supported the active participation of Belarusian experts in the work of sectoral committees and groups, major international events held under the auspices of the Commission.

During his visit, V.Makei opened an exhibition of Belarusian artworks at the Palais des Nations (UN Headquarters) in Geneva.

The event was held in partnership with the Belarusian Academy of Arts to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Belarusian diplomatic Mission in Geneva. The palette of paintings, sculptures, posters and installations symbolically covers the period from the mid-60s of the 20th century to the present day.

The opening of the exhibition was also attended by the Head of the UN Office in Geneva, Michael Møller, and the rector of the Belarusian Academy of Arts, Mikhail Borozna.