MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) - The Presidium of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus adopted a statement in connection with the suspension of Belarus' rights of representation in the Central European Initiative (CEI), BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of Belarusian parliament.
“The Presidium of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus condemns the politicized decision of the Central European Initiative to suspend the participation of our country in the CEI activities under a far-fetched pretext - allegedly due to Belarus' actions in support of the aggression against Ukraine. We should like to bring to the attention of the CEI member states the fact that the Republic of Belarus is not a participant in the hostilities in Ukraine. On the contrary, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has initiated Russian-Ukrainian peace talks, three rounds of which took place on the territory of our country,” the statement reads.
The document states that the suspension of Belarus' rights to participate in the CEI is a premature and unjustified decision that destroys the foundations of partnership and trust, fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation that Belarus and the organization have been building for 30 years. “Our country is an active member of the CEI, presided in the organization in 2017 and contributed to the expansion of regional cooperation through the implementation of joint projects in energy, transport, logistics, education, small and medium-sized businesses. Belarusian MPs participated in the meetings of the Parliamentary Committee and the Parliamentary Assembly of the CEI. We consider the actions of the CEI against Belarus as a deviation from the fundamental principles of the organization, designed to ensure the overcoming of dividing lines in Europe and the non-application of methods of political and economic pressure contrary to international law. The Republic of Belarus remains committed to multilateral cooperation in the interests of our continent,” the statement reads.
“We are confident that common sense must prevail and the Central European Initiative will once again assert itself as a serious organization with a broad membership, not dependent on short-term opportunistic interests of individual countries, able to maintain its unifying potential and make a worthy contribution to security and peace in Europe,” the Presidium of the Council of the Republic said.
