“The CSTO must progressively widen the scope of foreign policy efforts and strengthen its international credibility,” the President of the Republic of Belarus said.

In his speech at the plenary session of the Collective Security Council in Bishkek on 28 November 2019, the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander LUKASHENKO called to resume an inclusive dialogue on international security issues.
“Taking into account the bitter lessons of the history of Belarus, we call to resume an inclusive dialogue on international security issues, similar to the Helsinki process. It should be aimed at overcoming the existing contradictions in the relations between the states in the common Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian space,” said Alexander LUKASHENKO.
In turn, the Belarusian side is ready to discuss them in more detail in the CSTO format. “Especially today, when against a backdrop of the demolition of arms control mechanisms we are witnessing a gradual development of military capabilities and the expansion of military infrastructure in the European region. In fact, this is a case of an open and, most importantly, groundless militarization of the western borders of the CSTO area of responsibility,” the Belarusian leader said.
In recent years, the NATO grouping, including the US contingent, has grown dramatically in the countries neighbouring with Belarus. At the same time, military equipment and personnel is being concentrated in close proximity to the border of Belarus. In addition, the alliance is conducting a number of large-scale multinational exercises.
“We do not need a new arms race,” said the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Alexander LUKASHENKO noted that the situation around the CSTO area of responsibility and on the planet as a whole is changing significantly. “I am convinced that our organization should respond adequately and in a timely manner to new challenges and threats, provide a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the situation, develop relevant proposals and initiatives,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “Being an important mechanism of ensuring security in the Eurasian region, the CSTO must progressively widen the scope of foreign policy efforts and strengthen its international credibility.”
The President of the Republic of Belarus also spoke in favour of broader cooperation of the CSTO with other organizations.​