An archive photo
MINSK, 30 October (BelTA) – Minsk has become not only a venue for peace talks but also a platform to discuss multipolarity and diversity in the 21st century. This view was shared with a BelTA correspondent by Sergei Vergeichik, an analyst at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research (BISR), who participated in the 3rd Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security.
Sergei Vergeichik reflected on the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in addressing security issues.
“Although the SCO agenda is multifaceted, security concerns are what define its priorities and create a unifying interest among its members and partner states. Due to its geographical position and policy of openness since achieving statehood, the Republic of Belarus has been directly impacted by most major geopolitical shifts,” noted Sergei Vergeichik.
He remarked that during the SCO’s formation and development, Belarus, lacking common borders with China and the Central Asian states, was not directly involved in shaping the security landscape in the region.
“Minsk’s primary focus on the external contours of collective security was strengthening the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in countering modern challenges and threats. Considering that the two key regional organizations included common participants (Russia and the Central Asian states), it can be said that Belarus, as an active member of the CSTO, was effectively involved in the multilateral process of shaping the security environment in the area from Brest to Shanghai,” the analyst emphasized.
In his opinion, this was facilitated by close and friendly bilateral relations with all SCO and CSTO member countries.
“In joining the SCO as a dialogue partner and later an observer, Belarus took into account the Organization’s growing emphasis on economic and humanitarian collaboration. Belarus also demonstrated an interest in developing cooperation between various integration structures, including the EAEU and the SCO. As Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized at the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tashkent in June 2016, we are ready to be the SCO’s ‘western gateway’ as the only European state to receive observer status.”
Sergei Vergeichik noted that in the present context, Belarus finds itself positioned on the SCO’s ‘western frontier’, where it is making a substantial contribution to regional stability.
“Minsk has become not only a platform for peace negotiations but also a forum to discus multipolarity and diversity in the 21st century, based on key principles such as non-aggression, non-use of force or threat of force, and peaceful resolution of differences.
The most common phrases at the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security included “a just world order,” “equal dialogue,” “universal and indivisible security” and “non-targeting.” According to Sergei Vergeichik, these ideals are aligned with the “Shanghai spirit,” which is built on mutual respect, trust, equality, and a commitment to common development.
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