OSCE secretary general backs Lukashenko idea of launching Helsinki-2 process
MINSK. May 24 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's initiative to launch a new Helsinki process deserves the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's attention, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger said in Minsk on Thursday.
Speaking at the Minsk Dialogue forum on Thursday, Greminger said it makes sense to think how to initiate a multilateral dialogue when the time is right.
Considering the OSCE's legacy, it would be good to think about Helsinki-2, of which Lukashenko said, Greminger said.
The OSCE may provide a multi-level platform for dialogue to combine efforts in addressing problems existing in the region, he said.
However, these efforts would be successful only if active steps are taken to adhere to the OSCE principles, and there should be a common understanding about what these principles mean, Greminger said.
Belarus, as a neighbor of Russia and Ukraine and an OSCE member, is an active player in the region, he said.
It had been reported earlier that Lukashenko had come up with the idea of launching a Helsinki-2 process at a plenary session opening the 26th annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk in July 2017.