04.10.2012
No official negotiations yet to resume OSCE mission work in Belarus
MINSK, 4 October (BelTA) – Official negotiations to discuss the possibility of resuming the work of the OSCE mission in Belarus have not been held. The information was released by Andrei Savinykh, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, on 4 October, BelTA has learned.
Asked to comment on the news that the OSCE mission representatives, who monitored the Belarus parliament elections, have met with representatives of the Belarusian government and have discussed the possibility of resuming the work of the OSCE mission in Minsk, Andrei Savinykh made it clear that no official negotiations to discuss the matter have been held yet. He added that the OSCE’s institutional development was outside of the sphere of competence of election observers.
The official reminded that the OSCE office in Minsk ceased operation 1.5 years ago after its mandate expired. “From the practical point of view we considered the decision as a way to optimize expenses of the regular budget of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. More money was appropriated for program activities with better organization,” remarked the Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus.
“One and a half years ago the Belarusian side expressed confidence that the office shutdown will not reduce our contacts with the OSCE while we will be able to easily coordinate current projects through contacts with the OSCE headquarters in Vienna using existing diplomatic channels. The time that has passed since then has convincingly proved this view,” said Andrei Savinykh.
Asked to comment on the news that the OSCE mission representatives, who monitored the Belarus parliament elections, have met with representatives of the Belarusian government and have discussed the possibility of resuming the work of the OSCE mission in Minsk, Andrei Savinykh made it clear that no official negotiations to discuss the matter have been held yet. He added that the OSCE’s institutional development was outside of the sphere of competence of election observers.
The official reminded that the OSCE office in Minsk ceased operation 1.5 years ago after its mandate expired. “From the practical point of view we considered the decision as a way to optimize expenses of the regular budget of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. More money was appropriated for program activities with better organization,” remarked the Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus.
“One and a half years ago the Belarusian side expressed confidence that the office shutdown will not reduce our contacts with the OSCE while we will be able to easily coordinate current projects through contacts with the OSCE headquarters in Vienna using existing diplomatic channels. The time that has passed since then has convincingly proved this view,” said Andrei Savinykh.