The challenges and threats to border security are not diminishing year by year. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, today when approving the decision on the protection of the state border by the border service bodies in 2020, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The challenges and threats to border security are not diminishing year by year. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, today when approving the decision on the protection of the state border by the border service bodies in 2020, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that border security is a crucial issue of state policy, especially for Belarus, which is why the decision on border protection is submitted for the President's approval annually. "Unfortunately, the challenges and threats to border security are not diminishing year by year," stated the head of state.
According to him, the flows of illegal migration, the volumes of drug trafficking, and other criminal activities are increasing. "Military activity on the other side of the border is increasing. At the same time, Belarus has never threatened anyone and does not intend to threaten anyone, neither in the economic sphere nor in the military sphere," declared the President. "When I speak of the economy, I mean the recent statements and the storm of criticism directed at us from Russia, alleging that we are threatening to either stop oil supplies to the West or have issued threats that we will take oil from the transit pipeline to supply our refineries."
Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that an officially enshrined agreement between Belarus and Russia provides for the supply of 24 million tonnes of oil. "That is all," he remarked.
Last year, the President made a decision to increase the staffing level of the border guard service in order to strengthen existing units on the borders, establish new outposts and combat-ready mobile groups that were disbanded after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Such units should be competently and effectively employed in guarding the border lines, and to promptly address tasks in various conditions, they should be equipped with modern types of weapons and equipment, the Head of State noted.
Alexander Lukashenko inquired of the Chairman of the State Border Committee, Anatoly Lappo, about the main issues his department intends to address this year and how work is progressing on creating normal conditions, including living conditions, for border guards and their families. "What else needs to be done today and tomorrow for the more effective functioning of the border troops?" the President asked.