Belarus’ Defence Ministry: international arms control system beginning to degrade

The international arms control system is beginning to degrade – as stated by the Chief of the International Military Co-operation Department, Assistant to the Defence Minister for Foreign Military Co-operation, Valery Revenko, at a meeting with officers responsible for the implementation of international arms control treaties in formations, military units and organisations of the Armed Forces of Belarus, sb.by reports with reference to the Defence Ministry’s press service

Mr. Revenko stressed that Belarus takes a responsible approach to security and arms control issues, “An appropriate system is operational in our country, and it is supervised by the International Military Co-operation Department. These duties are assigned to the relevant officials in formations, military units and military administration bodies."

The Chief of the International Military Co-operation Department drew attention to the fact that the arms control system is beginning to degrade, but – despite this – Belarus continues to fulfil its responsibilities to ensure peace and security. “All Western European states have suspended the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. The provisions of the Open Skies Treaty and the Vienna Document on Confidence and Security-Building Measures are also not fully followed,” he said.

Mr. Revenko stressed that, although Belarus is making efforts to establish relations with neighbouring countries, some states ignore counter steps, “We do not see retaliatory measures, we do not even see the desire to establish co-operation with us. For example, Poland does not respond to our repeated request to establish a constructive dialogue, although we have questions for the Polish side, in particular with regard to the declared strengthening of the state border. According to our information, not only the issues of countering migration, but also those dealing with the military activity are being promoted there.”

The military official added that, no matter what, the Belarusian side will make every effort for the sake of common peace. “Speaking of a common goal, we are preparing personnel for further work on the development of arms control and security issues. To date, these processes are actively developing in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, and Kazakhstan has even voiced a proposal to form a new arms control system within SCO. There is also a Belarusian initiative to make the security system not only European, but also Eurasian. In short, the regulatory and international framework will be revised to form a new concept, a new security structure. The issues of arms control have always been topical, and they will remain such in the future,” Mr. Revenko summed up.