Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko explains submission of National Security Concept for public discussion
MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – The National Security Concept has been submitted for public discussion so that the nation would know what risks, challenges, and threats exist and need to be countered jointly. Belarus President, Chairman of the Belarusian People’s Congress Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in his speech at a session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress on 25 April, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “When the matter was raised, proposals were put forward on how we will discuss it. After all, we’ve discussed these problems in the Security Council confidentially. Even with more people. We debated whether we should submit all of it for public discussion. Back then we decided there was nothing to be afraid of. The key task is to resist when we have to. And how will the nation resist if it doesn’t know beforehand what it will resist.”
The head of state explained that in this manner the country’s leadership will convey the knowledge to the nation, including via delegates of the Belarusian People’s Congress. Aleksandr Lukashenko once again said that when they get back home, the delegates should reread the National Security Concept and the Military Doctrine, which have been submitted for approval of the Belarusian People’s Congress.
“These are serious matters. Everyone has to have a firm grasp of them. You will have to give answers to people. This is why we don’t hide anything. We speak openly. We have created a most serious document. It was not easy. We discussed individual provisions at dialogue platforms. And today we’ve conveyed it one more time to you, to the delegates in a more open manner. The ball is in your court.”
The draft of the new National Security Concept was approved at a session of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus on 20 February 2023. Before submitting it for approval of the Belarusian People’s Congress the head of state gave instructions to arrange public hearings of the document. Over 70 discussion platforms were organized over the course of the year to discuss the main novelties of the Concept in all parts of the country, in government agencies and organizations, in labor collectives, education institutions, trade unions, and public associations with assistance of representatives of the scientific community and the expert community, the main religious denominations, and civil society entities. To maximize coverage, the text of the new Concept was also published by the national legislation registry website.
At a session of the Security Council held in January 2024 the head of state and members of the Security Council were informed about concrete proposals, which had been nominated for inclusion into the updated Concept as a result of the public discussion. First and foremost, they suggested additional protection of the conventional family institution, an increase in the level of corporate social responsibility of businesses, overcoming the disproportions of regional development, clarifying the list of forces in charge of national security and the list of terms and ideas in use, the procedure for adopting a system of indicative evaluation of the state of national security, and other matters.
As for the new Military Doctrine, it does not provide for a radical revision of provisions of the military policy of the state. Current provisions remain unchanged. The defensive nature of the document has been preserved. The document clarifies the content of the military policy. In particular, it stresses that Belarus is a peace-loving country that does not threaten anyone. Attempts to interfere in domestic affairs of the state or, even more so, the threat of using military force or an aggression will be stopped using the entire available potential.
Both fundamental documents were approved by the Security Council in February 2024. They have been submitted for approval of the Belarusian People’s Congress in accordance with Belarus’ Constitution.
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