Belarusian army to remain partners with Russia’s, but improve relations with NATO

Today Major-General Aleh Voinau, Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department, has held a briefing for military attachés accredited with the Belarusian Defense Ministry.

In accordance with the improved concept for international military cooperation in 2019-2023, Belarus will continue pursuing the strategic policy aimed at partnership with Russia while staying focused on maintaining a high level of relations with Collective Security Treaty Organization member states, China, and CIS member states, the top military official said.

At the same time, the concept declares it is necessary to gradually improve relations with countries, which are members of NATO, the European Union, with other nations, which ‘respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Belarusian state’, news agency BelTA reports.

The number of people serving in the Belarusian army has not changed in the past three years and totals to 65,000 persons. In 2018 the Armed Forces received 83 new weapon systems, military and special hardware units, including those developed by Belarusian companies.

Belsat.eu, via BelTA