Meeting with participants of CIS Internal Affairs Ministers Council

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko called for further integration of law enforcement agencies in the CIS as he met with the participants of the CIS Internal Affairs Ministers Council on 8 August.

"Our equal partnership, backed by a solid legal framework and time-tested, is based on the principles of openness, trust and mutual assistance. Over the years of joint work, we have been repeatedly convinced that only together we can maximize the effectiveness of countering global, cross-border, and internal threats. Because we have friends and comrades-in-arms around us, who are always ready to give a helping hand. Rest assured that you will always get it from Belarus. We will always, as far as possible, support and cooperate with all of you. If there is a desire, we can help each other in very difficult situations," Aleksandr Lukashenko said. "The CIS internal affairs ministries are, in fact, a shield for good citizens and a sword for the criminal world. This will work however only if we stand together. Proceeding from this, Belarus has always been and continues to be a consistent supporter of integration within the CIS and in this very case - further integration of law enforcement agencies."

He noted that law enforcement agencies face serious tasks. Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined some of them in his opening speech. They relate to ensuring the rule of law, peace, order and stability in the states, countering terrorism, fighting cybercrime.

The head of state noted that the first such meeting in the format of the Internal Affairs Ministers Council was held in Minsk in February 1992. This time Belarus is hosting the 50th meeting of the Council. "A long history of such a representative forum of the internal affairs ministers shows the exceptional importance of consolidating the efforts of law enforcement agencies to ensure security, protect the constitutional rights and interests of citizens of all the CIS countries," the President said.