Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 June (BelTA) – Cooperation between police departments located in bordering areas of Belarus and Russia represents kind of a barometer of relations between the two countries. Belarusian Interior Minister Igor Shunevich made the relevant statement during the joint session of the boards of the Belarusian and Russian interior ministries in Kazan, Russia on 13 June, BelTA learned from the website of the Belarusian Interior Ministry.

Participants of the session discussed various aspects of cooperation in bordering areas, the formation of the common migration space of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. Igor Shunevich underlined that cooperation between police departments in the bordering areas can be used as kind of a measuring stick in Belarus-Russia relations. Igor Shunevich thanked the top officers of the Russian Interior Ministry and police departments, in particular, those located in Bryansk Oblast, Pskov Oblast, and Smolensk Oblast, for understanding and assistance in joint law enforcement efforts.

The session also tabled the draft plan for the joint board’s work in 2018. The next session is expected to focus on cooperation in traffic safety. The best practices in ensuring public security during major international sport events will be shared as well.

Igor Shunevich noted that the decisions made by the session participants would allow the Belarusian and Russian law enforcement agencies to take care of strategic tasks on a whole new level. The decisions would also serve as a reliable foundation for tighter integration of Belarus and Russia in the Union State. The Belarusian interior minister invited his Russian colleagues to come to Polotsk for the next session of the joint board of the Belarusian and Russian interior ministries next year.