FOCUS The Minsk Times Thursday, June 13, 2013  Keeping gunpowder dry Minsk hosts the Council of Defence Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States

By Dmitry Vasiliev

Minsk is becoming ever more a centre for substantive discussions on integration. Following close on the heels of the Council of CIS Heads of Government and the Forum of Busi- nessmen, Minsk has hosted the CIS Council of Defence Ministers. The President met the heads of delegations before the Council began its work, noting, “We pay special im- portance to each event which helps strengthen the authority of our integra- tion association and further develop co-operation among state-partici- pants in all spheres.” Issues of defence and national security are, naturally, of great importance. The President added, “Bearing in mind today’s dif- ficult geopolitical situation worldwide, this area of integration is of particular importance for state stability and the sustainable development of the Com- monwealth.” Belarus supports the further all- round development of the Common- BELTA Prospective issues of co-operation discussed in Minsk at meeting of Council of CIS Defence Ministers wealth, strengthening its defence capa- bility and authority: a position shared any independence... We, Belarusians mark event in the development of close the military sphere is a component of sites in Russia and Kazakhstan and an by many heads of state considering and Russians, don’t have any secrets partnerships in the military sphere. integration, with priorities defined by international competition for the pro- integration. The President emphasised, from each other. If we don’t manage to Last year, the CIS Council of De- the concerns of friendly countries re- fessional military is planned: Warriors “Whether we like it or not, life forces achieve anything (Russia also has prob- fence Ministers — a high level inter- garding sudden complications in the of the Commonwealth. us to work closely within the frame- lems, we know) we simply ask Russia governmental body — celebrated its global geopolitical situation. Hot spots Being well-prepared, the ministers work of military organisations. Some to note what is going on in Belarus. We 20th anniversary. The Minsk meet- are coming ever closer to CIS borders. completed their work efficiently, as Mr. may not seek a tight embrace, as in the ask Russia to supply the new weapons ing, held in the President Hotel, was Mr. Zhadobin noted the need to set up Zhadobin noted, adding that decisions Collective Security Treaty Organisa- being used in the Russian army. We the 64th, showing that ministers meet mechanisms to counter such threats. had been made collectively, with at- tion, while others wish to be more in- have the right to act in a unified man- several times a year. Issues vary widely Over 20 issues were debated, in- tention paid to air defence troops. He dependent. Nevertheless, world events ner, as equal partners with Russians in — from organising joint exercises and cluding the further development of stressed, “We’d like to see the bounda- push us towards closer military co-op- our common defence space.” developing promising weapon systems a joint air defence system, the use of ries of the Commonwealth properly eration.” The President expressed his hopes to sharing of military health care and satellite communications for military protected.” Of course, co-operation between that CIS integration will start to move humanitarian aid. purposes, interaction of engineering Answering reporters, Mr. Shoigu Belarus and Russia is a good example. more rapidly — at least reaching the Russian Defence Minister Mr. corps in the field of mine clearance mentioned that Russia and Belarus are Mr. Lukashenko explained, “We have level of the CSTO. The Russian Defence Shoigu opened the meeting, as its and monitoring of ammunition. It moving in a given direction regard- created practically a single army so, if Minister, Sergey Shoigu, who heads the Chair, but gave the first word to his was decided to hold joint military ex- ing the placement of an air base, with something happens, we are absolutely CIS Council of Defence Ministers, add- Belarusian counterpart, Yury Zhado- ercises for air defence forces under the no disagreements. A site is yet to be united and we know what to do. We ed that much work lies ahead to attain bin, who outlined the concept of our slogan Combat Commonwealth 2013. decided, but the Russian minister em- aren’t afraid, having co-operated this the required level of security within the country’s presidency of the CIS. He In addition, out of date (yet still live) phasised that all agreements will be the way for decades, and we have not lost CIS. He called the meeting itself a land- spoke of peaceful tasks, but noted that ammunition is to be placed in landfill result of joint work. Friendship with Holy See

By Lilia Osipova rishioners has quadrupled. The — supporting Belarus. Some have state has passed around 300 expressed a desire to visit our Belarus eager to strengthen co- buildings to believers, also country. When you return to operation with Vatican assisting in restoring ancient the Vatican, please tell them that Thousands of kilometres separate Roman Catholic churches. we’ll always be delighted to wel- Minsk from the Vatican but this is no While chatting with Mr. come them here. Please pass obstacle to establishing constructive Gugerotti, the Presi- the kindest wishes from dialogue and kind relations. On re- dent stressed that the Belarusian Catho- cently meeting the Apostolic Nun- Catholic Church be- lics and Belarusians cio to Belarus, Archbishop Claudio haves very properly as a whole to Pope Gugerotti, President Lukashenko in Belarus, work- Francis. From what expressed his gratitude for the Vati- ing closely with we read in the media can’s support of our country, saying, the community: and learn from you, “I cannot but thank you for your an approach sup- we like his stance on kind attitude towards Belarus. I’m ported by the particular issues; he’s thankful to the Vatican and to the state. Mr. Lu- an interesting per- Catholic Church for the support ren- kashenko noted, son.” Mr. Lukashenko dered within the international arena “We’ve never ex- Claudio Gugerotti also requested that — primarily, in establishing dialogue perienced such great understanding his best wishes be passed to Benedict with the European Union. It doesn’t and support as from those represent- XVI, noting that good interpersonal matter whether this generates a re- ing the Vatican — regarding person- contacts already exist. sult or not, although I know that you nel recruitment and the problems Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti are keen to see this realised.” facing the Catholic Church in Bela- stressed the great honour of working Catholicism is the second largest rus. I’d like to assure you that we’ll in Belarus, “This country deserves confession (in the number of its fol- do everything possible — and more respect and a positive attitude and lowers) in Belarus so it’s no surprise — for the Catholic Church in Bela- should receive such.” He views the that we desire stronger relations with rus. There are no problems which we forthcoming visit of Cardinal Jean- the Vatican. Over the past 20 years may fail to solve.” Louis Tauran — the most influential (since diplomatic ties between Be- Addressing his guest, the Presi- diplomat in the Vatican — as a clear larus and the Holy See were estab- dent asked, “I know that many indication of the Vatican’s desire to lished), the number of Catholic pa- Vatican heads follow your position promote relations with our country.