Russia-Belarus security system functional - official :: Charter'97 :: News

Belarusian Defense Minister Col-Gen Leonid Maltsev said the security system of the Union State of Russia and Belarus has been set up and is functioning. "To perfect and strengthen the security system, the military are developing the appropriate mechanisms of response to possible challenges and threats to the Union State," Maltsev told reporters after a joint meeting of the boards of the Russian and Belarussian Defense Ministries on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the parties agreed on "having a war and business game" with a view of perfecting these mechanisms, a proposal which is likely to be approved by the presidents of the two countries.

The recent command and staff exercise of the unified CIS air defense system and a large exercise of the Belarussian armed forces were "serious tests for the security system," the General said.

The Russian and Belarussian military considered the composition of the joint regional group of troops and the development and establishment of its support systems.

Specifically, they discussed the legal underpinning, supplies of materials and equipment, control systems, intelligence, and means of electronic warfare.

"The regional group has been set up and we are considering practical issues of its functioning," the Belarussian defense chief said.