Intervention
by H.E.
Sergei Martynov,
First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus
Mr. Chairman, Dear Colleagues, I would like to concentrate on the subject
of regional cooperation security.
Enhancing Euro-Atlantic security through regional co-operation is extremely
timely and topical. Through regional co-operation we can work together
to avoid emergence of new dividing lines in Europe. In our view, introduction
and implementation of confidence-building and security-building measures
and increased transparency on a regional basis represent two important
aspects of such co-operation. These two aspects can be envisaged at two
levels: between non-NATO members and the Alliance, as a whole, and between
members and non-members in a region.
In this respect Belarus, as a step in this direction, is proposing to
our neighbors (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine) to work out bilateral
agreements on appropriate additional confidence-building and security-building
measures under Chapter X of Vienna Document 1999 on confidence-and security
- building measures.
We also seek to expand programs of practical co-operation with the Russian
Federation on security-related issues. And through regular contacts at
different levels we hope to further develop co-operative relations with
both Allies and Partners. A strong balance of relationships is the core
of our position on Euro-Atlantic affairs.
Since the adoption of the Belarus Individual Partnership Program by the
North Atlantic Council in July this year we have consistently been working
on its implementation. The Belarus representative to the Joint Medical
Committee has been appointed. For the first time ever Belarus participated
with its units in the EAPC exercise "Transcarpatia 2000". Such
regional activities organized around issues of mutual importance will
always be of particular interest to us.
Practical co-operation is extremely important for building confidence
and strengthening security in our region. Such co-operation ought to be
based on the principles of transparency and self-differentiation. The
flexible framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and Partnership
for Peace provides a good foundation for it.
We notice with satisfaction that during the last years EAPC has been increasingly
involved in scientific and environmental aspects of military activities.
Belarus considers disaster preparedness and scientific and environmental
aspects of military activities as very important areas of regional co-operation.
Today Ukraine is shutting down the Chernobyl nuclear plant completely.
70 per cent of the radioactive waste that was released during its explosion
in 1986 landed on Belarus territory. We continue to be compelled to allocate
up to 20 per cent of our annual budget for neutralizing its consequences.
This is one of the main reasons why Belarus is so interested in the environmental
issues.
It is with great interest that Belarus follows the discussions on EAPC/PfP
role in conflict prevention. We welcome the EAPC Political-Military Steering
Committee Ad Hoc Group paper on this subject and strongly believe that
there is a role for the EAPC in supporting United Nations and OSCE efforts
in conflict prevention. Belarus as an EAPC member-state intends to enhance
its involvement in the non-military components of the United Nations peacekeeping
operations and post-conflict rehabilitation of the countries concerned.
At present we consider the possibility of setting up of the national Training
center for personnel to be involved in the peacekeeping operations.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I would like to draw the attention of the
ministers to the fact that Belarus has become the first country that,
in full compliance with the Istanbul decisions, ratified the Agreement
on Adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and
deposited its instruments of ratification.
Thank you for your attention.
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