Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus S.Aleinik participates in the Virtual Meeting of the CEI Foreign Ministries

On June 23, 2021 the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Sergei Aleinik, took part in the Virtual Meeting of the Foreign Ministries of the Central European Initiative (CEI) chaired by Montenegro.

The meeting was also attended by CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione, Ministers and Deputy Foreign Ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, as well as Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Pierre Heilbronn, Vice President for Policy and Partnerships at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), representatives of the OSCE and the EU.

In his statement, S.Aleinik emphasized the importance of regional cooperation for successfully overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and sustainable development of the region. The Deputy Minister welcomed the measures taken by CEI to respond to COVID-19, including in the area of project cooperation, as well as advocated the active implementation of the CEI action plan for 2021 – 2023, including in such areas as digital transformation and connectivity, facilitating passenger and traffic flows, improving infrastructure and simplifying border procedures.

The Deputy Minister confirmed Belarus' openness to dialogue with all interested partners. S.Aleinik noted with regret the destructive position of the European Union and its member states towards Belarus, which does not correspond to the spirit of good-neighborliness and cooperation. The Deputy Minister said that the practice of air blockade, sanctions and restrictions against a sovereign and independent state were absolutely unacceptable. S.Aleinik pointed out that such actions were contrary to international law and contributed to the growth of tensions, undermining stability and security in our region.

The head of the Belarusian delegation emphasized that the sanctions confrontation only leads to the creation of new dividing lines in Europe, which contradicts the fundamental goals of the CEI.

Background Information: CEI is an interstate association created in 1989 with the aim of developing regional cooperation. Currently, the CEI includes 17 states: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Croatia, Montenegro and Czech Republic.

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