Islamabad-22 Jan 2018-
The starting point of a modern Belarusian Diplomatic Service coincides with the very first mentioning of the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Belorussia (SFA SSRB) in press. A short article was published in the newspaper “Zvyazda” on January 22, 1919, which stated that “the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs started functioning” and was located in Minsk, Koydanovskaya str., 21 (nowadays – Revolutsyonnaya str., 15).
According to archive documents, a small, consisting of 12 people, diplomatic service was headed by a member of the Provisional Workers-Peasants Soviet Government of the Belarusian Republic, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Vsevolod Falsky, born in Loshitsa village, Minsk region.
At the provisional government’s meeting held on January 27, 1919 the CFA SSRB was given its first’ order – “to solicit the RSFSR Center for the return of all evacuated property to the Belarusian Republic”. The protocol also contains a conclusion on financing of the CFA activities and information about the statement made by a member of government responsible for foreign affairs.
The first diplomatic mission of the young Belarusian Soviet State was opened in Moscow on March 24, 1921. The plenipotentiary representation of the SSRB in the RSFSR was a part of the diplomatic corps accredited in the Russian Federation, enjoyed immunities and privileges, maintained official contacts with the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR and diplomatic missions in Moscow.
On August 22, 1921 the Council of People’s Commissars of the BSSR approved the Regulations on the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and appointed Alexander Chervyakov, a native of the Dukora village, Minsk region, as a head of the Commissariat.
The next important historical steps are the reestablishment of the BSSR People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and later on – institution of the BSSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its’ basis. On March 24, 1944 the BSSR Supreme Council adopted the law on setting up the BSSR People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs. In 1946, the BSSR People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs was transformed into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The world community recognized the BSSR contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany: the Belarusian SSR became one of the founders of the United Nations Organization and signed the UN Charter in 1945. BSSR missions to the UN were opened in New York, as well as to the international organizations in Vienna, Paris and Geneva.
Outstanding Belarusian diplomats made a significant contribution into the formation and development of a modern diplomacy and are great examples of high professionalism and unwavering commitment to their Homeland. Among them are A.Chervyakov, K.Kiselev, A.Gurinovich, as well as A.Gromyko, who headed the MFA of the USSR for many years. And this list can go on and on.
With the formation of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Belarus in 1990, national diplomacy continued to develop together with the young state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been and remains at the “frontline” of the struggle for real independence, increase of the role of Belarus in the world. Foreign Ministry seeks to implement effective foreign policy and foreign economic course set by the President.
Over the years of independence, the Republic of Belarus has achieved significant success on the international arena, became a participant of new integration projects, expanded the range of its’ foreign partners and allies, opened, mastered and secured new promising markets.
In the run-up to the 100th Anniversary of the diplomatic service (17 January, 2019), Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Vladimir Makei gave an interview to BelTA. He spoke about the history of Belarusian diplomacy, the way Belarus managed to secure a foothold on new markets and turn into a driver of integration projects in Eurasia and a place to settle Europe’s burning issues and a donor of European security (in detail: https://eng.belta.by/politics/view/makei-belarus-sovereignty-is-common-achievement-and-greatest-value-118028-2019/).
Belarus develops friendly and mutually beneficial relations with Pakistan, which is in high priority of foreign policy of Minsk for some years.
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan were established on February 3, 1994.
On February 3rd, 2019 Belarus and Pakistan mark the 25thAnniversary of diplomatic relations.
Belarus and Pakistan are closely cooperating on the international arena in addressing pressing issues of the global and regional agenda. Effective interaction in this direction is ensured by the functioning of a permanent mechanism of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus, Islamabad will be organizing an International Conference on “Pakistan Belarus Diplomatic Relations” in September 2019. In this connection, high level delegation of various think tanks from Belarus will also will be visiting Pakistan.
The first in the history official visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan took place on May 28 – 29, 2015.
On August 10 – 12, 2015 the Prime Minister of of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif visited the Republic of Belarus.
On November 9 – 11, 2015 an official visit to Pakistan of the Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov was organized.
On October 4 – 6, 2016 the President Alexander Lukashenko paid the second official visit to Pakistan.
On February 1 – 4, 2017 the Republic of Belarus was officially visited by the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mian Raza Rabbani.
On April 10 – 12, 2017 the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko came with an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The mutual will to develop the dialogue in the political sphere is fixed in the Islamabad Declaration of Belarus-Pakistan Partnership signed
on May 29, 2015, the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed
on August 10, 2015 and the Joint Statement of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed on October 5, 2016.
The first and second round of political consultations were held in Islamabad on November 13 – 14, 2014 and October 8 – 9, 2015 respectively, the third round was held on May 11, 2017 in Minsk. The fourth round is to be held in Islamabad in 2019.
On December 16 – 19, 2018 the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, paid an official visit to Belarus. During the visit H.E. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of the Republic of Belarus, invited H.E. Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to pay an official visit to the Republic of Belarus in 2019.
