MINSK, 4 June (BelTA) – Plans to step up the USA's military presence in the countries Belarus borders with, primarily Poland, are misguided. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the relevant statement during the conference “Eastern Partnership at 10: Results and ways forward” on 4 June, BelTA has learned.
Vladimir Makei said: “We believe plans to reinforce the USA's military presence in the countries Belarus borders with, primarily Poland, represent a major error. This military presence will break the balance of forces in the region. What is the purpose of it? Rebuffing a threat? It is unimaginable that in the 21st century someone may dare provoke a direct military clash considering the current level of armed potential accumulated in the region.”
However, Vladimir Makei noted, there is a strong probability that NATO's stronger military presence near Belarus' borders will result in reciprocal steps on the other side of the border. “Does anyone want that? Belarusians want it least of all. At the same time we have to honor rather specific Union State commitments in the military and political field, collective security commitments and we will surely honor them,” he said.
Step-by-step efforts to ease tensions via a dialogue of all parties concerned using the Helsinki Process of the 1970s as an example are viewed as an alternative to the danger of rising tensions in the region. According to Vladimir Makei, it is necessary to discuss threats and their different perceptions by the sides. It is necessary to come to terms on mechanisms of de-escalation and trust building. The matter has been repeatedly raised during previous meetings of the Minsk Dialogue. Vladimir Makei is convinced that discussions involving experts, diplomats, and politicians will continue.
