MINSK, 3 October (BelTA) – Belarus and Germany advocate the use of multilateral diplomacy tools as an effective answer to global challenges of the modern time. The statement was made by Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas at a public function held on 3 October on the occasion of German Unity Day, BelTA has learned.
The diplomat said: “The unification of Germany and the German nation is an event of great importance in German history. It allowed restoring multiple ties between families and individuals previously separated by the border. At the same time the event became a symbol of new Europe. It stopped the confrontation of the Cold War. German unity gave hope to the mankind, hope that the West and the East can be together not only in Germany. Even now in our complicated and uncertain time the hope lives on.” Andrei Dapkiunas underlined that nowadays Germany is a solid pillar of unity and peace in Europe.
“United Germany has been one of the most important foreign partners for the Republic of Belarus since the very first days of its independence. Germany contributes to the advancement of Belarus' interaction with the European Union,” Andrei Dapkiunas said. “Tragic pages in the common history remain in the memory of our nations and serve as a warning to future generations. Yet they do not interfere with the development of friendly bilateral relations based on trust. Today Belarus and Germany are connected by such fundamental interests and tasks as support for peace, security, and stability in Europe and the world, efforts to ensure sustainable development, the use of multilateral diplomacy tools as an effective answer to global challenges of the modern time.”
Andrei Dapkiunas also pointed out that the political dialogue between Belarus and Germany reached new heights in the last few years. The first ever visit of the federal president of Germany to Belarus took place. Contacts between the parliaments develop successfully. The foreign ministries cooperate vigorously. The number of visits and joint projects in various fields is on the rise.
Apart from that, trade, economic, and investment cooperation is expanding. Andrei Dapkiunas mentioned growing interest of the German private sector in Belarus, stronger ties with German federal lands, including with Hamburg, Saxony, and Bavaria.
The Belarusian deputy minister of foreign affairs also pointed out successful cooperation in science, culture, education, environmental protection, social sphere, sport, youth exchange programs, and twin-city movement. In his words, efforts of hundreds of humanitarian initiatives are of particular importance. The Belarusian side is grateful to German friends for many years of support in overcoming consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe.
Andrei Dapkiunas stressed Belarus expects relations with Germany to continue growing stronger.
