MINSK, 20 January (BelTA) – The Open Skies Treaty is still relevant as a military-to-military tool to ensure transparency and predictability, Anatoly Glaz, Head of the Information and Digital Diplomacy Office, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the media as he commented on the situation around the Open Skies Treaty, BelTA learned.
"It is with concern that we are watching the continuing erosion of the system of international agreements on non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control, including the Open Skies Treaty," said Anatoly Glaz. “The current situation around the Open Skies, caused primarily by the withdrawal of the United States, is undermining the open skies regime and calls into question the further viability of the treaty."
“Belarus has repeatedly stated that the Open Skies Treaty remains relevant as a military-to-military tool to ensure transparency and predictability. The importance of the treaty as an integral component of Euro-Atlantic security was reaffirmed by all states parties during the fourth review conference on 7-9 October 2020,” Anatoly Glaz noted.
"We remain convinced that all the problems associated with the Open Skies Treaty should be solved through an equal and mutually respectful dialogue, taking into account each other's interests and concerns," continued Anatoly Glaz. “We will analyze the current situation, including in the context of the practical implementation of the Open Skies by Belarus together with Russia within the framework of the group of states set up in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Article III of the open Skies Treaty."
Belarus hopes that the key players in arms control in the Euro-Atlantic space will be able to show political will and take the necessary decisions that will preserve the integrity and viability of the Open Skies Treaty and will contribute to its further development as a unique mechanism for building trust and security from Vancouver to Vladivostok.
