MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – The Minsk dialogue is important as a neutral venue for the discussion of alternative viewpoints, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the opening of the international conference 25 Years of Belarus' Foreign Policy on 19 May, BelTA has learned.
The minister said that there has been skepticism about the Minsk platform as a venue for the settlement of many burning issues. Vladimir Makei pointed out that the idea to set up this platform was put forward by the analytical community. The minister strongly believes that it is necessary to preserve such neutral platforms as the Minsk dialogue that work in close cooperation with other countries and with recognized experts.
Vladimir Makei, who made a speech on the 25th anniversary of Belarus' foreign policy, emphasized the large contribution of the academic and educational community. “We have been observing the gradual development of our own expert community that unites academic and educational centers and independent think tanks. Both their cooperation and natural creative competition are important factors for the understanding and, I believe, intensification of the foreign policy process,” the diplomat said.
He emphasized the importance of the fact that the conference gathered all former ministers of foreign affairs of Belarus, and foreign ambassadors. The forum is a unique opportunity to look through the pages of the contemporary history of Belarus, evaluate the effectiveness of the country's foreign policy that reflects the general policy of the Belarusian state which has a well-established social and political system.
Vladimir Makei expressed hope that the reports on the origins and specific features of Belarus' foreign policy would provide food for thought on the country's position in the international arena, the positive aspects of the current foreign policy, and possible failures and mistakes that require additional attention.
