Opinions & Interviews

Volfovich comments on novelties of Belarus’ National Security Concept

MINSK, 16 January (BelTA) - The draft of the updated National Security Concept of Belarus will be submitted to the Belarusian People's Congress, State Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich told the media after a Security Council meeting chaired by President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss the document, the BelTA has learned.

 "The resolution of the Security Council has been prepared. A decision was made to submit the document to the Belarusian People's Congress for approval," Aleksandr Volfovich said.

 He noted that during the year about 70 discussion platforms were organized to discuss the main novelties of the concept. The developers received feedback from citizens. "People were interested in the situation in the country and the geopolitical situation in the world. Today people are primarily concerned about peace, stability and security," Aleksandr Volfovich pointed out.

 In this context, the state secretary referred in particular to the increase in military conflicts in the world, the geopolitical changes and the threats sometimes made by certain politicians about the possibility of using nuclear weapons. In addition, Poland, which borders Belarus, has asked the United States to deploy nuclear weapons on its territory.

 "Europe already hosts 150 U.S. nuclear warheads today, in addition to nuclear weapons in France and the UK. Some countries are asking to deploy these weapons on their territory. We understand for what, given their militaristic mindset and hostile rhetoric, including towards Belarus," Aleksandr Volfovich said.

In connection with all these processes, the provisions of the concept have been strengthened in the light of the risks of military conflicts with the use of nuclear weapons.

At the suggestion of religious confessions, the Belarusian Women's Union, BRSM and a number of citizens, the updated concept will focus on the protection of the traditional Belarusian family institution as a union between a woman and a man. This excludes other gender approaches currently common in the West.

The trade unions suggested strengthening social responsibility of business. This, too, is reflected in the document.

Eliminating the disparities in the regional economic development to avoid the division between small localities and large cities was another initiative.

 Some provisions of the concept were adjusted in accordance with the laws on civil society and people's militia. The document also spells out the procedure to approve an indicative assessment of national security.

 Following the meeting the president asked to continue raising awareness of Belarusian citizens about the current situation around the country and the key issues reflected in the updated National Security Concept.

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