Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defense Thomas Byrne said at the "Ireland - Belarus: National Cultural Identities" conference that Ireland "stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus as they continue their peaceful pursuit of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms." "The Irish experience showed the importance of preserving language and culture as an expression of national identity. Today's discussions highlighted the vital role of language, culture and identity in protecting democratic values and maintaining hope in difficult circumstances. The ties between Ireland and Belarus run deep, strengthened over decades through people-to-people interactions, who welcomed the initiatives of family and solidarity. Children to their homes created strong bonds between our peoples," Byrne said.