Minsk (TDI): The second Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security is scheduled to be held from October 31 to November 1, 2024 in Belarus.
Aleksandr Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, proposed the idea to convene such a meeting during the November 2022 CSTO summit in Yerevan.
Approximately 600 visitors and representatives from 45 countries have assembled in Minsk. Among them are prominent figures from all over Eurasia, members of the OSCE, CIS, and SCO nations, chiefs of several international organizations, and top analysts from the top think tanks in the region.
Minsk Conference- Six Years Journey
The Minsk International conference on Eurasian Security launched with its inaugural session on May 24-25, 2018, in Minsk, Belarus.
The primary objective of this preliminary conference was to promote Eurasian security cooperation and dialogue, which led to the Minsk Declaration on Eurasian Security, establishment of a permanent secretariat, as well as agreements on cybersecurity and counterterrorism cooperation.
According to the ministerial website, the goal of this conference is to have a frank and inclusive discussion about the prospects for Eurasian security in light of the current world order crisis, chronic military and political contradictions between key global players, and an almost complete lack of communication between them.
Meeting Brief:
The II International Conference on Eurasian Security, held today in Minsk, Belarus, addressed a number of crucial issues, including political, economic, and military dimensions that challenge Western principles.
The East-West divide necessitates a fundamental adjustment in strategy, as highlighted by the Minsk Conference, which emphasizes civilized conversation over ideological arguments.
Western neocolonial tactics, hostile policies, and sanctions on Russia have exacerbated the Russia-Ukraine crisis, negatively harming Eurasian regions security.
Joint Action Plans
In order to tackle this issue, the Greater Eurasian Partnership suggests a multilateral, people-centered framework that involves Russia, Ukraine, OSCE, the EU, and EEU.
It places a higher priority on regional peace, prosperity, and human well-being than on territorial and Western ideological domination.
This project also opposes US monopoly and meddling in the region.
During the Conference the parties further spoke out against the hypocrisy of Western democracy. They pointed out that there is “democracy for ourselves” and “democracy for export,” exposing the shortcomings in Western democratic regimes.
Moreover, they argued that Eurasia’s economic growth has stalled due to a reliance on Western technology and Eastern energy, compounded by regional wars and Western sanctions on Russia.
This has resulted in significant price discrepancies, with natural gas costing four times more in Europe than in the United States, and electricity costing three times more in China.
The accompanying economic instability and inflation have prompted a move from West-centricity to multipolarity, motivated by the necessity for mutually beneficial relationships and diverse trade and energy ties.
Developing Trends
During the consultations, the parties also discussed the forthcoming meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta on 5-6 December 2024.
It is anticipated that the occasion will serve as a forum for discussing and outlining the promising aspects of future Eurasian regional security.
It is also worth considering the Republic of Belarus’ proposal to construct a 21st-century Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity.
