BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

06/01/2010

Belarus pledges to enhance military cooperation with Russia

MOSCOW, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian Defense Minister Yuri Zhadobin said on Wednesday his country will step up security cooperation with Russia.

It is possible to counter modern challenges and threats only by collective efforts, Zhadobin said in a statement posted on the Defense Ministry's website.

Zhadobin said consolidation of cooperation with Russia has been and remain one of Belarus' foreign policy priorities. "Integration in military sphere is of strategic nature and plays a key role in the national security system," he said.

He said Belarus regards other countries and international organizations as potential partners for mutually beneficial cooperation in implementing multilateral policies that aim to maintain and strengthen European security.

Belarus will continue military cooperation with influential international organizations and neighboring countries this year so as to avoid heightened tensions in the region and enhance national security mechanisms, he said.

The defense minister recalled that Belarus and Russia held joint military exercises West-2009 last fall, describing the drills as "the most important stage in joint training with Russia's armed forces."

Zhadobin was the state secretary of the Belarusian Security Council before being appointed as defense minister on Dec. 4, 2009. ?

Source:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/07/content_12767471.htm


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