Belarusian parliament approves draft law on suspension of CFE Treaty

The draft law was submitted to the House of Representatives by the Council of Ministers following the coordination with the head of state. It had been designed as a guarantee to ensure the national interests of the Republic of Belarus and also as a response to the decision of NATO member states to withdraw.

The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe was signed in Paris on 19 November 1990, ratified by the Decision No.1884-XII of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus of 21 October 1992 and entered into force on 9 November 1992.

The Treaty provides for limits on the total levels of conventional armaments and equipment in five main categories (tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery, attack helicopters and combat aircraft), as well as mechanisms for verifying compliance with obligations (exchange of information and inspections).

The Republic of Belarus fully complies with its obligations under the Treaty, including strictly adhering to the established limits on the availability of armaments, military equipment and personnel of the armed forces, and timely submitting relevant information and current notifications to States Parties to the Treaty.

The suspension of the CFE Treaty by NATO member states and their allies makes it advisable for the Republic of Belarus to suspend its obligations under the Treaty. In practical terms, this would mean the suspension of the provision by a state party to the Treaty of information on conventional armaments and equipment to the Republic of Belarus and of the receipt and conduct of inspections to monitor compliance with the numerical limitations on conventional armaments and equipment established by the provisions of the Treaty.