Minsk Forum continues its work

17 ноября 2017

By Olga Davidovich: This year, the forum has brought together a record number of participants – about 300. The event is attended by the Foreign Ministers of Belarus and Germany. The diplomats addressed the participants of the forum, as well as held talks and discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation. The Ministers noted that the Belarusian-German relations are developing constructively and are reaching a qualitatively new level.

Vladimir Makei, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus: "We are pleased with the fact that political contacts between the Republic of Belarus and the Federal Republic of Germany have intensified. It is gratifying that after the recession in previous years, the year 2017 has witnessed a significant increase in the turnover. We hope that by joint efforts we will be able to consolidate and develop this trend in the future."

The diplomats also spoke about the forthcoming summit of the Eastern Partnership, the interests of Europe and the role of Belarus in the development of relations between the East and the West. Vice-Chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel noted that Belarus can become a bridge between the EAEU and the European Union. He also stressed that Germany appreciates the position of Belarus and its assistance in resolving the conflict in the east of Ukraine.

Sigmar Gabriel, the Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany: "We are anticipating the Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels. Belarus will be represented at the summit and we have high hopes that the President of Belarus himself will be able to attend. That would be a good signal. In any case, I sincerely thank both for the ability and for your country's readiness to do everything possible regarding the conflict in Ukraine in order to find a solution as soon as possible."

Many people say that Belarus has the potential for resolving conflicts and consolidating the region as a whole. And the Minsk Forum today is becoming one of the generators of what is called soft power in foreign policy – it participates in the formation of international opinion and helps to better understand the essence of what is happening. Now, against the backdrop of a catastrophic loss of confidence in the region, this function is particularly in demand.

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