On September 13, 2014 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Ms.Alena Kupchyna met with the President of the Italian Society for International Organizations, ex Foreign Minister of Italy and European Commissioner Franco Frattini.
The Ambassador of Belarus to Italy Mr. Evgeny Shestakov and the Ambassador of Italy to Belarus Mr. Stefano Bianchi were presented at the meeting.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues, including the development of bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.
FROM MEDIA
Former foreign minister of Italy speaks in favor of dialogue with Belarus
By Anastasiya Salanovich, BelaPAN
Minsk, 13 September. It would be correct if Italy and Belarus maintained an open dialogue, Franco Frattini, a former foreign minister of Italy, said Friday, speaking at the opening ceremony for a Minsk office of Italy’s Foedus Foundation.
Mr. Frattini noted that he had visited Belarus five years before in his capacity as foreign minister. “Unfortunately, not all my counterparts in European countries were satisfied with my visit,” he said.
“While in Minsk, I made it clear that although I was implementing Europe’s policy, this policy should not lead to the isolation of Belarus, and I showed that here in Belarus by inviting your head of state to visit our country.”
According to Mr. Frattini, who is currently president of the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), he has not changed his opinion and views the establishment of Foedus Foundation’s office in Minsk as a step in the development of dialogue.
Italy has its economic interests in Belarus and the office can serve as a bridge in the expansion of economic ties between the two countries, Mr. Frattini said.
For Italy, cooperation with Belarus is not only a political but also a moral imperative, he noted, adding that many Belarusian children are invited to Italy for recreation and rehabilitation, and many children are adopted by Italian families.
Mr. Frattini expressed regret that the interstate agreement signed during his September 2009 visit to Minsk had not been implemented in full. “I think there is room for development and hope this agreement will start to work to the full extent and bear fruit,” he said.
Mr. Frattini served as foreign minister in Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet between 2002 and 2004 and between 2008 and 2011. Mr. Frattini also served as the European Union’s commissioner for justice, freedom and security between 2004 and 2008.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kupchyna meets with former foreign minister of Italy
By Tanya Korovenkova, BelaPAN
Minsk, 13 September. Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Alena Kupchyna met Saturday in Minsk with Franco Frattini, a former foreign minister of Italy who is currently president of the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI).
Also participating in the meeting were Yawhen Shastakow, the Belarusian ambassador to Italy, and Stefano Bianchi, the Italian ambassador to Belarus.
During the meeting, the sides discussed a broad range of issues, including measures to expand bilateral relations and multilateral relations, the press office of the Belarusian foreign ministry reported, without elaborating.
Mr. Frattini served as foreign minister in Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet between 2002 and 2004 and between 2008 and 2011.
Mr. Frattini also served as the European Union’s commissioner for justice, freedom and security between 2004 and 2008.
- Tags: franco frattini foedus foundation mario baccini roberto masiero
- Categories:
