Statement in connection with suspension of Belarus' participation in CEI
The Presidium of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus has made a statement in connection with the suspension of Belarus' participation in the Central European Initiative. The text of the document – adopted on April 18th in Minsk – is posted below.
The Presidium of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus perceives with indignation and condemnation a politicised decision of the Central European Initiative (CEI) to suspend our country’s participation in CEI activities under a far-fetched pretext: allegedly due to Belarus' support of the aggression against Ukraine.
We bring to the notice of the CEI member states the following: the Republic of Belarus is not a participant in military operations in Ukraine. On the contrary, the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, initiated peaceful Russian-Ukrainian negotiations, and three rounds of them have taken place on the territory of our country.
The suspension of Belarus' participation in the CEI is an ill-considered and illegal step that destroys the foundations of partnership, trust and fruitful mutually beneficial co-operation that Belarus and this organisation have been building for thirty years. Our country is an active participant in the CEI. It chaired the organisation in 2017 and contributed to the expansion of regional co-operation through the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, logistics, education, small and medium-sized businesses. Belarusian parliamentarians took part in meetings of the CEI Parliamentary Committee and Parliamentary Assembly.
We consider the Central European Initiative’s actions against Belarus as a departure from the fundamental principles of the organisation aimed to ensure the overcoming of dividing lines in Europe and the non-use of methods of political and economic pressure contrary to international law.
The Republic of Belarus remains committed to multilateral co-operation in the interests of our continent.
We are confident that common sense should prevail, and the Central European Initiative will once again declare itself as a serious organisation with a wide range of participants, independent of the momentary opportunistic interests of individual countries, capable of preserving its unifying potential and making a worthy contribution to ensuring security and peace in Europe.
