State Secretary of Belarus’ Security Council on the results of National Security Concept’s public discussion and its innovations
The draft National Security Concept – discussed today at a Security Council meeting with the President’s participation – has undergone wide public discussion, arousing genuine interest in society, State Secretary of Belarus’ Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich told reporters
In particular, he noted that, in 2023, over 70 discussion platforms were organised to discuss the main innovations of the National Security Concept, covering all regions of the country.
“The President was concerned about how informally we approached the preparation of the new National Security Concept, how much Belarusians understood the need for this document,” noted Aleksandr Volfovich. “We worked with all layers of society, government agencies, organisations, scientists, students, labour teams, trade unions and other public associations. Even the leaders of our main religious denominations were involved. The discussion of the draft document aroused genuine interest. To maximise audience coverage, the draft concept was published on the National Legal Internet Portal, where over 15,000 citizens’ requests to this document were recorded. The most important thing is that we received feedback, with people interested both in innovations, but also in the emerging military-political situation in the world and around our country.”
According to Aleksandr Volfovich, people today are primarily concerned about peace, stability and security. Therefore, taking into account the outbreak of military conflicts, processes taking place in the geopolitical arena, statements by some of our neighbours, particularly Poland, with a request for the deployment of American nuclear weapons on its territory, the provisions of the concept related to the emergence of risks and conflicts with the use of nuclear weapons have been strengthened. Moreover, Aleksandr Volfovich stressed that this proposal came from the citizens themselves, “150 American nuclear warheads are already deployed in Europe, excluding the nuclear weapons of France and the UK. However, some countries are asking for more to be placed on their territory. Why? The reason is clear, given their militaristic nature and aggressive statements towards our country.”
The State Secretary of the Security Council noted that during communication with representatives of religious denominations, the Belarusian Women’s Union, and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, concerns were expressed that the new generation does not understand the values of the traditional Belarusian family, “At the suggestion of these organisations, we strengthened the concept with a provision protecting the institution of the traditional family as a union between a woman and a man by birth. This excludes various gender approaches, gender reassignment surgeries advertised in the West, etc.”
The draft National Security Concept also reflects proposals to strengthen the social responsibility of business and overcome imbalances in regional development. Some provisions of the concept were adjusted in connection with the release of laws on civil society and the people’s militia.
“The President set the task of continuing to inform the population about the emerging military-political situation, enabling our citizens to study this document as fully and succinctly as possible,” said Aleksandr Volfovich. “It was decided to submit the draft concept for approval by the Belarusian People’s Congress. Let’s hope that our citizens will approve it and this main strategic document – after the Constitution – will be adopted to protect our national interests.”
