Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 October (BelTA) - Belarus is a reliable outpost for international partners in identifying foreign terrorist fighters in passenger and migration flows, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the opening of the international high-level conference “Preventing and Countering Terrorism in the Digital Age" on 9 October, BelTA has learned.

“Being in the center of Europe, Belarus serves as a reliable outpost for our international partners to identify foreign terrorist fighters in passenger and migration flows. Due to the well-developed infrastructure and well-balanced border security system we are one of the few states which employ a multi-level filtration system on the way of migrants flowing out from unstable regions,” the minister said. Belarus has reinforced border controls, especially for those entering the country. Belarus conducts special operations (Arsenal, Nelegal, Kordon) to counteract criminal groups operating channels of illegal migration to the EU.

“A risk profile system is widely used at border crossings to identify terrorism suspects in the migration flow. The system makes it possible to identify persons who may be involved in extremist religious activities. 68 fighters and associates of terrorist organizations have been identified since 2014. 24 of them were on the wanted list,” said Vladimir Makei.