Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus V.Makei participates in the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (third day)

On September 23, 2022 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Belarus, Vladimir Makei, as part of the High-Level Week of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, took part in the signing ceremony of the Convention on Facilitation of Border Crossing Conditions for the International Carriage of Passengers, Baggage and Goods Luggage adopted in Geneva 22 February 2019. In accordance with Article 21 of the Convention, the signing procedure took place at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. 

Background Information: The text of the Convention On The Facilitation Of Border Crossing Procedures For Passengers , Luggage And Load -Luggage Carried In International Traffic By Rail has been approved by the UNECE Inland Transport Committee and its specialized working bodies, whose competence includes issues of railway transport and facilitation of border crossing. Since April 4, 2019, the Convention has been open for signature by all Member States of the United Nations. The Convention will enter into force three months after the date on which the first five States have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

The Convention will create a legal basis for increasing the competitiveness of the railway transport in Eurasia, including for the development of high-speed and high-speed communications.

The Belarusian Foreign Minister also held a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. 

The situation in the region and the conflict in Ukraine was discussed with the Foreign Minister of Turkiye, Mevlut Çavusoglu. Ministers confirmed interest in its peaceful settlement. 

Türkiye Minister positively assessed the role of Belarus in organizing a dialogue platform for Russia and Ukraine. In his turn, V.Makei noted the significant contribution of the Turkish side to the conclusion of the “deal on grain”, signed in July this year in Istanbul. 

The interlocutors considered issues of further cooperation in trade and economic sphere, including in the light of the sanction pressure on Belarus from Western countries. The parties agreed to continue bilateral contacts at the highest and high levels.

During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, the interlocutors discussed the state and prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of finance and agriculture, raised issues of cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals, education and transport.

The Ministers also touched upon problematic issues of Belarus-EU relations, the situation in the region of Eastern Europe and other topics of mutual interest.

Negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, followed up on the recent meeting of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Samarkand.

The head of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed his readiness to assist in expediting the consideration of the Belarusian application for SCO membership.

The interlocutors noted the mutual interest to hold the meeting of the Belarusian-Pakistani commission on trade and economic cooperation soon, which will contribute to the intensification of bilateral cooperation in various areas. The Ministers agreed to facilitate the exchange of visits between business circles and chambers of commerce and industry of the countries, discussed official contacts planned for the near future, and touched upon other topics related to the implementation of the agreements reached in Samarkand at the highest level.

At the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua, Denis Moncada Colindres, the parties discussed issues of mutual support in international organizations, stressed the importance of coordinating efforts in the face of countering sanctions pressure. Agreed to continue contacts, including within the framework of the bilateral commission on trade and economic cooperation.

Issues of developing trade and economic cooperation in areas of mutual interest were discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Carlos Alberto Franco França.

The issues of interaction in international organizations were considered. The Ministers exchanged views on the conflict in Ukraine and the prospects for its settlement. 

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