‘Unprecedented step’ and national security: Lukashenka increases number of border guards

Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka has approved the regulations on state border protection, including a decision to increase the number of border guards in Belarus.

“Given the growing negative factors associated with illegal migration, drug trafficking, smuggling (especially weapons), the State Border Committee shall increase the number of personnel to the required level. This is an unprecedented step but national security comes first,” state-run news agency BelTA quotes Lukashenka as saying.

The Belarusian leader tasked the State Border Committee officials to increase the personnel numbers and establish new border units. “In particular, it is referred to restoring or strengthening maneuver units. These are the reserve forces that could immediately move off in case of any escalation,” he said.

At the same time, Lukashenka stressed that such measures are not aimed at confronting other states, but improving the good-neighbour policy.

“We are not locking our border to create problems for our citizens and those who want to come to us. We want to create a favourable environment but at the same time we should stop those who want to enter the country with ill intentions. It is particularly important in the wake of the 2nd European Games,” he added.

КА, belsat.eu, following BelTA