MINSK, March 10 (BelTA) – Belarus is reaching a brand new level of practical collaboration with Russia in the military area, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during the discussion of the concept of the West 2009 strategic exercise, BelTA has learnt. The head of state pointed out that the West 2009 strategic exercise aims to test readiness of the regional forces of Belarus and Russia and their control in a prearranged local conflict. According to the President, it is the most significant event in terms of forces and means to be involved. ‘It is a brand new stage of maintaining security of the Union State. It is so far the highest level of the practical cooperation with Russia in the military area,’ Alexander Lukashenko said. He underlined that the common security policy emphasizes raising defense capacities of the Union State regional forces. This is why Belarus regularly carries out military exercises. ‘We managed to convince our citizens and the neighbouring countries that such exercises are not the demonstration of power but an efficient form of military training and maintaining combat effectiveness and readiness,’ the Belarusian leader said. Alexander Lukashenko pointed out the necessity to rationally use the material resources and money. The head of state noted that despite the external shocks, Belarus should not postpone the exercise that was planned long ago. ‘We do not have extra money, but I think we will handle the expenses. We will cut down on some expenditure in the military area, but we will definitely carry out this exercise,’ the President underlined.

БЕЛТА