Russian Ambassador hails Minsk security conference as key forum for discussing critical issues
17:37, 27 October
Photo: BelTA
A substantive dialogue on the principles of building a future continent-wide security architecture is expected at the upcoming 4th Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security on 3-4 November, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov said in an interview with the National Defense magazine, BelTA has learned.
- Share on Facebook
- Share on VK
- Share on Twitter
“The Minsk conference, held on the initiative of the Belarusian president, has become an important international platform for discussing security topics key to the Eurasian space. Naturally, we expect a substantive conversation about the principles on which the future continent-wide security architecture should be built,” Ambassador Boris Gryzlov said.
He noted that today Eurasia is the geopolitical center of the emerging multipolar world. “Processes on our continent have a decisive influence on the trajectory of international relations. Therefore, the conversation about security must take into account the interests of all states located here. We do not tell anyone whom to cooperate with, but we oppose the policy of division and claims to regional dominance. Russia and Belarus proceed from the equal right of every state to choose ways of ensuring security. However, this right is inseparable from another principle: no one should strengthen their security at the expense of others. Collective security will either be universal or it will not exist at all,” the diplomat emphasized.
According to him, a consolidating role in this work is assigned to the Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. The ambassador recalled that on 25 September, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Belarus, Russia and like-minded partners issued a statement on launching work on this document.
“We call on everyone who is ready to participate in shaping a new continental architecture of peace and development to contribute to this important undertaking. Belarus, one of the two original co-authors of the idea, takes on the functions of chair of the negotiation process. The possibility of appointing two co-chairs is envisaged. If other states do not declare their readiness to assume these functions, the Belarusian side itself will chair. At the same time, when developing the charter, neither the initiators nor the chairs have any preferences,” the Russian ambassador pointed out.
"I proceed from the assumption that a significant part of the expert time at the upcoming Minsk conference will be devoted to discussing the charter. I'm sure we're in for an interesting discussion,” Ambassador Boris Gryzlov added.
