Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Minsk with Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makey. Against the background of a cloudless situation in bilateral relations, the ministers focused on the joint defense of common interests. According to a source, “Kommersant”, close to the leadership of the Defense Ministry, a logical response to the deployment of the European missile defense components of the American system could be transfer to Belarus missile complexes “Iskander-M”. However, in Minsk say that this need not experience. More unity on the issue scheduled CIS reform: According to “Kommersant”, the two countries are opposed to radical changes proposed by Kazakhstan
«We have no differences”. – outlined the situation immediately, Vladimir Makei, welcoming Sergei Lavrov. The only difficult bilateral issue – the price of Russian gas – already discussed at the premiere of the two countries during the visit of Dmitry Medvedev to Mogilev last week. They agreed to continue consultations at the level of energy agencies. “All the writing that is the number one problem, but now is not 2010 (when the two countries came last at the moment energy konflikt.- ” b “), so it will be easier to reach an agreement”, – sure Belarusian “Kommersant” a diplomatic source said. Director of the center of Minsk European Integration Yuri Shevtsov also states: “Compared with past outbreaks now no exacerbations is not observed, and the state of relations looks perfect»
European missile defense as a security challenge.
Nevertheless, for two days the ministers have held three rounds of talks: an informal meeting on Sunday evening, then closed-door talks one-on-one conversation, and in a larger format – in the presence of delegations. Sharing the vision of security cooperation ministers discovered and when asked about the reaction to the deployment of the European missile defense system the US (see. “Kommersant” on 13 May). “We have a common approach”, – assured Sergei Lavrov. Vladimir Makei added: “Our Western partners are talking about additional offerings (systems PRO.- ” b “) in a number of countries neighboring with us, and we see this as a potential challenge for our state.” “We (with Rossiey.- ” b “) are located in the Union State and cooperate closely, including in the military sphere – recalled on.- And we agreed that we will together develop appropriate adequate response” .
«The threats experienced by Russia, Belarus and concern. Therefore, the NATO exercises in neighboring countries, with Belarus, the deployment of new troops, and so on – all this is the threat for Belarus “, – assured the” b “Yury Shevtsov. According to him, the main response is already known: Minsk parallel or together with Russia holds military exercises, and began rearmament and capacity building – particularly in the beginning of May, Belarus received from Russia free of four battalions of S-300 PS. “With regard to the new measures, officially they are not announced, but if the situation escalates, it may come to be placed on the territory of Belarus” Iskander-M “», – the expert believes
According to a source, “Kommersant”, close to the leadership of the Defense Ministry, the transfer to Belarus operational-tactical missile systems (PTRC) “Iskander-M” would be a logical response to the expansion of NATO to Russia’s borders. However, according to him, here Minsk and Moscow offer different approaches. Belarusians ideally would like to receive the latest systems for free (through assistance of CSTO partners), or in a pinch to buy them (most likely in the credit). However, Russian government agencies for such an eventuality is not ready: according to “Kommersant”, there is calculated, if necessary, transfer the PTRC on the territory of Belarus, together with Russian specialists (to give access to internal systems, “Iskander” other countries Russian special services are considered inappropriate)
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reform without prejudice
Another theme, which the participants of the meeting paid even more attention, become, according to “Kommersant”, the prospects of the CIS modernization (on the reform plan “Kommersant” wrote 5 April). “Our positions are the same: the organization must remain viable, some points need to optimize and correct”, – said Vladimir Makei
«We are talking about initiated by Kazakhstan adaptation CIS activities to date. realities, which involves the modernization and optimization of the structures, improving working methods, while maintaining cooperation in various areas, including, for example, the military, “- said” Kommersant “about the Russian vision of Russia’s permanent representative to the reform of the statutory and other bodies of the CIS Andrei Shvedov. “For example, it is possible to reduce the number of questions, which are submitted to the higher authorities and heads of state, or to reduce the number of so-called councils operating in the framework of the CIS, if they are engaged in the same subjects – said on.- main thing is that all the country in favor of the preservation and development of the CIS ».
Meanwhile, according to” Kommersant “, Moscow and Minsk’s position on the CIS reform is fundamentally at odds with the position of Kazakhstan. “In fact, it proposed to eliminate a number of industry formats. All the cooperation in the CIS, which is, for example, in the field of defense, it was proposed to transfer to the CSTO, economic cooperation – in the EAEC and CIS do actually debating club for regular meetings of heads of state. In practice, this would mean depriving the CIS the status of an international organization “, – he told” Kommersant “source in the Foreign Ministry of Belarus. Previously, “Y” spoke to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry with a request to give an official comment on the essence of the proposed changes, but it has never received.
«In the CIS format is, for example, an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense – says the Belarusian diplomat.- Why do we need to clean up the military component of the CIS and the CSTO take it, if not all of the CIS countries are members of the CSTO? It would only weaken this area. ” The same applies to economic cooperation within the CIS is an agreement on free trade zone, which gives including Russian goods advantage in markets outside the EAEC. . “The elimination of existing free trade areas – this is the shot itself in the foot”, – concludes the source “b”
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