NATO has no reasons not to cooperate with Belarus or to stop partnership with the country. The statement was made by Tanya Hartman, a representative of the NATO Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, during the international seminar held in Minsk on 8 December to discuss international security and NATO in the year 2015.
Tanya Hartman mentioned the importance of advancing partnership relations between NATO and Belarus. Belarus' great contribution to regional security was mentioned during the seminar. The NATO representative underlined that the international situation has drastically changed recently and many new threats have emerged. “The international situation necessitates new steps to ensure security. We face challenges, including those poised by terrorist groups. We should modernize responses to challenges and pay more attention to defense capabilities,” stressed Tanya Hartman. The NATO officer also noted that the policy of deterrence is not a relic of the cold war, it is still vital today. “Deterrence can be a serious factor in modern security matters. It is necessary to make deterrence more effective,” stressed Tanya Hartman. She also quoted the NATO secretary general, who said that in modern conditions European security rules are outdated and should be modernized.
The international seminar has been organized by the Foreign Policy and Security Studies Center in association with the International Relations Department of the Belarusian State University with assistance of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division.
NATO welcomes Belarus' efforts and the role it plays in strengthening regional security, representative of the Security Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Ivars Lasis said during the international seminar held in Minsk on 8 December to discuss international security and NATO in the year 2015.
At present the Latvian embassy is the contact embassy of NATO in Belarus. “Latvia is deeply interested in the development of Belarus-NATO relations,” said Ivars Lasis. In his words, it is essential for these relations based on mutual trust to continue. The representative of the Latvian Foreign Ministry thanked the Foreign Policy and Security Studies Center, and also the International Relations Department of the Belarusian State University, for the organization of the seminar which was organized in cooperation with the NATO Public Diplomacy Division. He is confident that the discussions “will promote further cooperation between NATO and Belarus.”
According to Ivars Lasis, the relations between NATO and Belarus are based on the main principles of international relations: each country should base its relations with others on mutual respect and mutual benefit. The representative of the Latvian Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of the Minsk agreements on strengthening security and Belarus' role in peaceful processes. “Belarus aims to protect its security and independence. We welcome Belarus' role in strengthening security in the region,” he noted. Ivars Lasis expressed the opinion of the need to intensify joint international efforts in security issues. It is impossible to ensure security on one continent alone since threats, for instance in Europe, come from outside Europe. Ivars Lasis touched upon the fight against international terrorism.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is intent on maintaining the dialogue and building up partnership with Belarus. The statement was made by Ivars Lasis, a representative of the Security Policy Department of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the international seminar held in Minsk on 8 December to discuss international security and NATO in the year 2015.
The Latvian embassy in Belarus acts as the contact embassy of NATO in Belarus. According to Ivars Lasis, NATO continues vigorous cooperation with all the partners that make a major contribution to security. “We would like partners to benefit while making their security stronger. The policy of partnership indicates that together we can reinforce stability,” the representative of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was convinced. In his words, NATO and Belarus build partnering relations on the basis of mutual respect, advantageousness and equality. “There are many pros that encourage stronger cooperation. We are in favor of continuing transparency efforts. Exchange of military observers is a good example of partnership. The practice should be continued,” said Ivars Lasis. He also pointed out the importance of partnership in preventing emergencies. “Latvia is intent on maintaining the dialogue and building up cooperation with Belarus. In the future it may lead to more practical steps,” said the representative of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Latvia highly appreciates Belarus' role in ensuring security in the region, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the Republic of Belarus Martins Virsis said during the international seminar held in Minsk on 8 December to discuss international security and NATO in the year 2015.
The head of the diplomatic mission stressed that Latvia will support Belarus in security matters. He also said that the Latvian diplomatic mission is currently the NATO contact point embassy in Belarus. The Ambassador stressed the importance of the Minsk agreements and the role of Belarus in facilitating the Ukrainian settlement. “Latvia highly appreciates the role of Belarus in the context of security in the region. We also support the need for a permanent dialogue between NATO and Belarus, especially in connection with the increased risks in Europe and the region as a whole,” said Martins Virsis. The diplomat also said that Latvia is firmly committed to the principles of collective security.
