Belarusian Defense Ministry: International arms control system beginning to crumble

Photo credit: voentv.mil.by

The international arms control system is beginning to crumble, Major-General Valery Revenko, Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department, Aide for International Military Cooperation to the Belarusian Defense Minister, said at a meeting with officers responsible for the implementation of international arms control treaties in the Armed Forces of Belarus, BelTA learned from the Defense Ministry.

Valery Revenko noted that Belarus takes a responsible approach to security and arms control. "We have built an appropriate system in our country. The work is supervised by the Department of International Military Cooperation. In formations, military units and military command and control bodies, these duties are assigned to appropriate officials," he said.

Valery Revenko noted that the arms control system is beginning to crumble. Despite this, Belarus continues to fulfill its responsibilities to ensure peace and security. "All Western European states have suspended the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Limited work   is carried out under the Treaty on Open Skies and the Vienna Document on Increasing Confidence and Security Measures," Valery Revenko noted.

He said that despite the efforts of Belarus to establish relations with neighboring countries, some states ignore taking reciprocal steps. "We do not see reciprocal measures, we do not even see the willingness or desire to establish cooperation with us. For example, Poland has not responded to our repeated requests to establish a constructive dialogue. Although we have questions for the Polish side, in particular, the plans to reinforce the state border,” Valery Revenko added.

He pointed out that the Belarusian side would do its utmost for the sake of common peace. "As far as the common goal is concerned, we are preparing personnel for further work on arms control and security issues. Currently, these processes are underway in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Within the framework of the SCO, Kazakhstan introduced an initiative to form a new arms control system. Belarus proposed to make not only European but also Eurasian security system. In other words, we need to develop the legal and regulatory framework and the international framework for a new concept and a new security structure. Arms control issues will always remain very relevant," Valery Revenko summarized.