Draft update of National Security Concept discussed by Security Council

Belarus is upgrading its National Security Concept. Novelties of the draft were discussed today at a meeting of the Security Council in the Palace of Independence.

One of the most important documents of the country will have to be finally approved by the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly emphasized: is the concept commensurate with all the challenges of our time? The Belarusian leader also stresses the importance of transparency: Belarus does not hide anything, we show the transparency of our policy, but will respond to any aggression with lightning speed and toughness. Adapting the National Security Concept to today's realities is a logical and modern step. The elements of the Cold War, the arms race and nuclear blackmail have returned to international politics. Not only nationalism and extremism are among the threats.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus:

The geopolitical interest in Belarus on the part of the Western hegemon is a history of more than one century. But the technologies and methods of hybrid warfare are constantly improving. And we have to look even further ahead and be proactive. This is why I instructed the VI All-Belarusian People's Assembly to modernize the National Security Concept. The State Secretariat reports, the draft document is ready. We will have to see to what extent it corresponds to the situation in the world and around our country and whether the proposed system for ensuring national security is commensurate with the new risks, challenges, and threats. In this connection, I would like to hear from the members of the Security Council the answers to the main questions. First: What new threats to national security and their sources are outlined in this draft concept? What new provisions have been included? Most importantly, is the continuity of the main principles of the state's policy in the sphere of national security ensured? We are improving rather than breaking (this, you know, is my fundamental requirement for any transformations). Second: last February we held a referendum and adopted a new Constitution by a majority vote. They included a whole list of provisions that are crucial for our society. How are they reflected in the concept and how have they been developed? Third: new national interests have emerged for Belarus as an independent sovereign state. They also require conceptual anchoring in the system of national security. To what extent are these interests fully and objectively reflected in the concept? Are additional measures to protect them envisaged?