Minsk hosted international military scientific conference, Belarus’ Defence Minister welcomed participants

Minsk has hosted the international military scientific conference – Applied Aspects of Scientific Activity in CSTO Defence and Security – focusing on issues of ensuring the security of the CSTO member states, the development of types of operational (combat) support in the interests of CSTO Troops (Collective Forces), technical equipment, technical and logistical support of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Forces

Belarus’ Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin, addressed the conference participants with a welcoming speech, “The history of CSTO indicates that combining the efforts of the organisation's member states makes it possible today to effectively carry out the mission of maintaining peace and security in the Eurasian space, to reflect both internal and external challenges and threats to the CSTO collective security. Currently, elements of the US strategic missile defence system are deployed in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the organisation's member states, and additional military groups are being deployed. In addition, external pressure on Belarus from NATO – which is implementing the aggressive aspirations of the collective West – is constantly increasing.”

Mr. Khrenin added that the current military-political situation requires an impartial and comprehensive assessment of the state of Collective Forces, analysis and systematisation of existing problems in the field of defence and security of the CSTO member states. “The military scientific community has actively joined in identifying ways to solve them, as evidenced by today’s conference, at which a number of relevant scientific ideas are planned for discussion with the prospect of their immediate practical implementation,” he said.