MINSK, 16 October (BelTA) – Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas met with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges Antonio Missiroli on 16 October, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.
Antonio Missiroli is the highest-ranking representative of the NATO Secretariat to visit Belarus in the last 27 years. Andrei Dapkiunas and Antonio Missiroli mentioned the gradual improvement of Belarus-NATO relations. Belarus' cooperation with NATO member states and partners in various fields was discussed, including fight against new challenges and threats such as terrorism.
Andrei Dapkiunas stressed Belarus' readiness for a constructive dialogue and interaction with NATO on the basis of mutual respect and equality. He informed Antonio Missiroli about results of the high-level international conference held in Minsk on 3-4 September to discuss fight against terrorism using innovative approaches and new and emerging technologies.
The Belarusian diplomat also drew the NATO representative's attention to Belarus' initiatives in favor of creating “a digital good neighborhood belt” and in favor of working out a declaration on the non-deployment of medium-range and shorter-range missiles in Europe. Andrei Dapkiunas mentioned the Belarusian proposals are meant to reduce confrontation, restore trust, and bolster friendly ties between countries.
