MINSK, 20 November (BelTA) – Thanks to joint efforts the CSTO member states maintain peace in the Eurasian space, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said at an international military and scientific conference to discuss defense and security of the CSTO member states in Minsk on 20 November, BelTA has learned.
"The history of the CSTO demonstrates that even today by joining efforts its member states effectively maintain peace and security in Eurasia and counter internal and external challenges and threats to collective security. We see the U.S. strategic missile defense system deployed close to the borders of the CSTO member states as well as additional troops. Belarus is facing an increased external pressure from NATO, an arm of the collective West designed to advance its aggressive plans," the minister said.
Viktor Khrenin also stressed that the emerging military and political situation requires an unbiased and comprehensive assessment of the state of the CSTO collective forces, analysis and systematization of existing issues in defense and security of the CSTO member states. "The military and scientific community is actively involved in the effort to find ways to address these issues, which is evidenced by the conference," he noted.
"The history of the CSTO demonstrates that even today by joining efforts its member states effectively maintain peace and security in Eurasia and counter internal and external challenges and threats to collective security. We see the U.S. strategic missile defense system deployed close to the borders of the CSTO member states as well as additional troops. Belarus is facing an increased external pressure from NATO, an arm of the collective West designed to advance its aggressive plans," the minister said.
Viktor Khrenin also stressed that the emerging military and political situation requires an unbiased and comprehensive assessment of the state of the CSTO collective forces, analysis and systematization of existing issues in defense and security of the CSTO member states. "The military and scientific community is actively involved in the effort to find ways to address these issues, which is evidenced by the conference," he noted.