Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 17 June (BelTA) - Belarus' participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is in keeping with the national interests, and helps strengthen and develop the cooperation in the military and military-technical areas with its member states, Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Andrei Ravkov said in an interview with the TASS news agency.

"Giving the priority to the political means of promoting peace, we believe it essential to further strengthen, develop and improve the military dimension of the CSTO," Andrei Ravkov noted.

According to him, Belarus is ready to continue to participate in the work to improve the legal framework defining the strategic priorities of the OSCE in the area of collective security, to develop the coalition and regional forces as well as integrated military systems and peacekeeping forces.

According to Andrei Ravkov, the CSTO is transforming into a multifunctional security structure. "The Organization has found an adequate potential to deter military threats and, in our opinion, has become a unique instrument capable of ensuring stability and security in its area of responsibility," the Minister said.

The head of the Defense Ministry added that Belarusian servicemen participate in all exercises within the framework of the CSTO. In particular, the mobile company of the 103rd guards independent mobile brigade of the special operations forces of the Armed Forces of Belarus took part in a readiness check of military contingents of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force in Tajikistan in May this year.