Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 July (BelTA) – Belarus will take into account NATO’s actions at the border but the national military policy has no intention of building up tensions in the region. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the relevant statement after negotiations with his Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics in Riga on 19 July, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei said: “We will keep an eye on the actions NATO takes at our borders. We will take them into account as we shape our military policy with regard to NATO and neighboring countries. But we will act in a measured fashion and in a way to prevent our actions from intensifying tensions in the region and prevent another arms race or some militaristic aspirations.”

In his words, Belarus sees that steps are being taken to amplify NATO’s activities in some neighboring countries. “We don’t welcome these steps because they contribute nothing to stability and security in our region. But we understand that NATO is governed by a different logic and the neighboring countries have a logic of their own. We understand that they are taking these steps out of their own aspirations. Naturally, we have to think about ways to respond to it. We don’t intend to act in a way to create additional threats to security in the region,” stressed the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs.

Besides, Vladimir Makei pointed out that Belarus does not intend to accommodate foreign military bases in its territory. “Today’s weapon technology does not require stationing aircraft or some other weaponry [close to the target] when, for instance, missiles can quickly reach a territory thousands of kilometers away,” said the official.

“As we build our relations in the military policy sphere with other countries, we are intent to continue acting in a transparent and open manner. We are interested in advancing the dialogue with NATO and other international organizations,” assured Vladimir Makei.