Military inspectors from U.S., UK to make observation flight over Belarus, Russia

      A joint mission of U.S. and UK inspectors conduct an observation flight over Belarus and Russia, the press service of the Defense Minsitry of Belarus reports. "The purpose is to monitor military activities in the territories of observed states,” explained the military department. The ministry added that at the same time, the representative of the National Agency for the Control and Inspections - Department of the Defense Ministry will also take part in the observation flight together with Russian inspectors over Poland on board a Russian plane.
     The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in Helsinki on 24 March 1992 by the Minster of Foreign Affairs of 25 states including Belarus. Currently it has 34 states parties. The treaty is designed to enhance mutual understanding and confidence by giving all participants, regardless of size, a direct role in gathering information about military forces and activities of concern to them. Open Skies is one of the most wide-ranging international efforts to date promoting openness and transparency of military forces and activities.