Belarus Independence Day special supplement
12.07.2019 г.Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus — the National Day of Belarusian people — is celebrated on July 3. Together with the Belarusian people, this holiday is celebrated by many foreign friends of Belarus, including those in Japan. This year is also special for the Republic of Belarus’ diplomatic service — since it was established in 1919, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry celebrates its centenary.
Belarus and Japan, having long enjoyed a history of friendship and mutual support in emergency situations, continue to demonstrate solidarity regarding the U.N. and other global organizations on important topics and international agendas, while consistently expanding the horizons of bilateral cooperation. Among good examples of such cooperation is the mutually supported election of Belarus and Japan to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from 2018 to 2020. Belarus recently supported Japan’s candidacy at elections to the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Court of Justice, the International Telecommunications Union, the Interpol Executive Committee and the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
The European Games, held in Minsk from June 21 to 29, were a significant event for Belarus. European athletes demonstrated their skills and the best of them qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Responding to an invitation given to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from President Alexander Lukashenko, the Japanese government arranged visits for the Reconstruction Minister and Chairman of Japan-Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Group Hiromichi Watanabe, as well as Special Adviser to the Prime Minister Kentaro Sonoura to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.
I am pleased to note that recognition of the Republic of Belarus and its independence and sovereignty is growing in Japanese society, as well as an interest in Belarusian culture, traditions and cuisine. An April event held in Tokyo and Miyagi Prefecture — the first time in Japan and during the history of our bilateral relations — Days of Belarusian Culture greatly contributed to this. Belarusian diplomats and the Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus, Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Irina Dorofeeva together with her group gave concerts in Tokyo, as well as Sendai and Shiroishi in Miyagi Prefecture.
A memorable example of humanitarian cooperation was an event for peace and fair sport held from May 27 to June 1 in Minsk and across all regions of Belarus. United by the idea of friendship between Belarus and Japan, participants painted their works on fabric, aspiring for peace and fair sport.
A driving power of bilateral cooperation is the development of trade and economic cooperation. Successful Belarus-Japan seminars “The Investment Potential of the Republic of Belarus and the Great Stone Industrial Park” with friendly dialogue were held within Tokyo and Fukuoka in late May. Trilateral Belarus-Japan-China seminars have proved to be an effective tool for promoting joint projects.
On this solemn occasion of our national holiday, I avail of the opportunity to congratulate all Belarusians in Japan and to inspire our friends in Minsk and Tokyo for a more effective, beneficial and trusted cooperation for a bright and prosperous future of our two nations.
Article at the Japan Times homepage
