On February 14, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. Significant changes have occurred in Belarus's foreign economic and foreign policy positions, requiring state security agencies to respond promptly to modern challenges and threats. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this on February 14 at a meeting of the KGB board on the results of the state security agencies' work in 2011 and tasks for 2012, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. "You know that we have become members of the Single Economic Space, and you probably know all the drawbacks and positive aspects that have occurred in connection with this," the head of state noted. "We are members of the CSTO. And there, in this military-political bloc, very serious changes are taking place, not without Belarus's persistent influence. A certain dynamic, not new for security officers, for the country's leadership, is occurring in our relations with the West, the USA, and other states. This cannot but affect the situation within our country, and this cannot but fall within the competence of the main special service of our state," Alexander Lukashenko stated. The President emphasized that the current board meeting is not a ceremonial event: "The main thing for me today is that I would like to listen to you. I want to understand what the country's main special service is focused on." Before the board meeting, the leadership of the State Security Committee reported to the President on the work of intelligence and counterintelligence. Then the head of state took part in a meeting of the expanded KGB board, which was also attended by the heads of other law enforcement agencies. Alexander Lukashenko proposed a detailed discussion of the common issues that the State Security Committee is addressing at the present stage. During the meeting, a principled assessment of the KGB's activities was given, directions for further improvement were outlined, and ways to increase the agency's efficiency were specified.-0-

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