Andrei Metelitsa, head of Treaties and Legal Department of MFA of Belarus participates in the work of the Sixth Committee of the UN GA
29.10.2016Andrei Metelitsa, Director of the of Treaties and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus took part in the work of the Sixth Committee (Legal Issues) of the UN General Assembly and the events of the international law week in the UN.
In his statements at the meeting of the Sixth Committee A. Metelitsa made a number of comments on the reports of the International Law Commission on the issues of protection of people in cases of disasters, identifying international customary law, interpretation of international treaties, crimes against humanity, protection of the atmosphere, imperative norms (jus cogens), immunities of senior officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction.
A. Metelitsa underlined that Belarus considers it necessary to respect the sovereignty of States in international relations guided by the law and not by political expediency. It is expected that the notes of the Belarusian side will be reflected in the draft international legal instruments that are being developed by the Commission.
During his stay in New York, the head of the MFA Department of Treaties and Legal Department has also discussed current issues of bilateral legal and treaties relations, as well as the current agenda in international law with his counterparts from Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Russia, the Czech Republic, as well as the Council of Europe.
A. Metelitsa gave an interview (first and second part, in Russian) to the Russian Language Unit the UN Radio on the activities of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and the UN International Law Commission.
During his visit to New York A. Metelitsa met with Miguel de Serpa Soares, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel and discussed with him the draft agreement between Belarus and the United Nations on the organisation of joint activities, organizing jointly in Minsk of an international event on the international trade law, as well as other issues of cooperation in the legal field between Belarus and the UN Secretariat.
Improvement of efficiency of the depositary practice and the increased use of information technologies while working with international treaties have been the center of attention during the meeting between A. Metelitsa and Santiago Villalpando, Chief of the Treaty Section of the UN Secretariat’s Office of Legal Affairs.
