President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a Security Council meeting dedicated to the consideration of two crucial strategic planning documents – draft Concepts of National Security and the Military Doctrine of Belarus, BelTA correspondent reports.
The significance of the event, according to the Head of State, is also due to the fact that under the new Constitution, both documents are approved by the All-Belarusian People's Assembly.
The key directions of transformation of modern risks, challenges, and threats in the sphere of national security are detailed in the Concept and the Military Doctrine, the Head of State stated. "And many of the assessments and forecasts laid down there are already coming true," the Belarusian leader noted.
As an example, the President cited the situation in the Middle East. "This is a terrible humanitarian catastrophe. Note that threats of nuclear weapons use emerged almost immediately after the escalation of the conflict. And, as usual, there were no sanctions from the 'civilized' West. Routine statements, as if nothing happened," the Head of State said. "Unfortunately, we have returned to times when military force has become the main argument in building interstate relations."
As for the draft of the new Military Doctrine, it fully takes into account the cardinal changes occurring in the military-political situation and new military dangers. Approaches to defining the nature of modern military conflicts have also been updated to develop adequate response measures for the armed defense of the country.
The President recalled that last year, following a Security Council meeting where the draft National Security Concept was generally approved, the task was set to approach the preparation of the new concept informally and submit it for broad public discussion with the involvement of representatives from the scientific and expert communities, and the media. The Head of State instructed to thoroughly discuss this document and solicit people's opinions. "After all, ensuring national security is our common task, the task of every citizen of Belarus," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.
In this regard, the Head of State inquired about the specific results obtained from the public discussion of the concept.
The draft of the new version of the National Security Concept was approved in February 2023 at a Security Council meeting. At that time, the Head of State instructed to conduct a public discussion of this crucial document before submitting it for approval by the All-Belarusian People's Assembly.
Over the course of the year, 70 discussion platforms were organized in all regions of the country, in state bodies and organizations, work collectives, educational institutions, trade union and public associations, with the involvement of representatives from the scientific and expert community, major religious denominations, and civil society entities.
At the Security Council meeting on January 16, the Head of State will be presented with specific proposals that are planned to be included in the updated concept based on the results of the public discussion. These proposals primarily concern the additional protection of the institution of the traditional family, raising the level of social responsibility of business, overcoming regional development disparities, specifying the list of national security forces, the conceptual framework used, and the procedure for approving the system of indicative assessment of the national security status.
The decision to develop a draft of the new Military Doctrine was made following the approval of the new version of the National Security Concept in February 2023. The new Military Doctrine does not provide for a fundamental revision of the provisions of the state's military policy; the current provisions remain unchanged, and its defensive character is preserved.
The document is public and open, systemic, methodological, specific, and corresponds to modern realities. At the same time, emphasis is placed on such national values as peace, stability, and security.
The new Military Doctrine elaborates on the content of our country's military policy. In particular, it is emphasized that Belarus is a peace-loving country and poses no threat to anyone. However, any attempts to interfere in internal affairs, let alone the threat of the use of military force or aggression, will be suppressed using the state's full potential.
Following approval by the Security Council, the drafts of the new National Security Concept and Military Doctrine will be submitted for approval by the All-Belarusian People's Assembly.
Source: belta.by