ST PETERSBURG, 17 July (BelTA) – The Helsinki-2 initiative is necessary for ensuring common European security. The initiative was discussed at a meeting of experts held within the framework of the 6th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in St Petersburg to discuss development priorities of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, BelTA has learned.
President of the Association of International Studies named after A.A. Gromyko, Director of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences Aleksei Gromyko analyzed the stance of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in the international scene as a whole and that of Belarus and Russia in particular. “Helsinki-2 will not avoid the thorny way towards common European security. Considering the breakdown of the system of strategic stability and arms control, it is necessary to act in a consolidated and coordinated manner,” the expert was convinced.
Aleksei Gromyko noted that in conditions of the rapidly changing international situation it is difficult to predict what common threats to joint security may emerge in the next few years. “But we can definitely enhance the stress tolerance of the Union State,” he said.
“The improvement of labor productivity, investments in human capital, science, and youth policy are obvious demands of the time,” he explained. The expert went on saying that Belarus and Russia should work together seeking optimal ways of integration into the Belt and Road initiative, which promises great benefits.
BelTA reported earlier that Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested starting discussing the need to organize a new Helsinki process within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe at the plenary session dedicated to the solemn opening of the 26th annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk in 2017.
