Romuald Szeremietiew: Belarus Is the Heart of the European Security 21 11.07.2016, 9:48

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Romuald Szeremietiew

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Poland wants to see a free and democratic neighbour in Belarus who will be a part of the West.

After the summit of NATO in Warsaw Belsat has the ex-deputy Defence Minister of Poland Romuald Szeremietiew interviewed.

- Will results of the summit affect the security of Poland and the Central region?

- Not only Poland. I agree with President Obama who spoke about the main role of Poland in the region, if we mean security assurances. Yes, this is the task of Poland. Decisions taken at the summit are of high importance, and what is more pleasing is the fact of military strengthening of the Baltic States. In our case, the battalion which is to be formed in Poland - several thousands of soldiers - is not a heavy strengthening, Polish army has even more. But for Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians it is a real thing. In addition, it is the soldiers of other state, which guarantee that these states are under protection and this is important.

- Will Russia be afraid of these two battalions?

- Of course not. If to say something of Russia-Europe relations, the key moment is that Russia aware of its inability to overcome the potential of NATO. And, of course, this potential will hardly be exploited. This is first. Second, I do not think that Russia will abandon its policy, it will look for ways to divide NATO - cause troubles and divide. And for me this summit is a proof that at the moment Russia has failed with it. And this is our guarantee for now.

- The fifth article of the NATO Treaty (all for one, one for all) is the main security guarantor of Poland. Does this article acquire a new meaning after the events in Ukraine?

- The fifth article is constantly discussed. Naturally, the summit confirmed the record, but I always emphasize that there is also the third article in the Washington Treaty which says that each member-state should take care of its own defense capability. After all, this is the strength of the union - we all bring our potentials. I believe that this responsibility is incumbent on Poland, but also on other countries in the region - to develop their armed forces the way the Kremlin's intimidation of us would have no result.

- What status will be the safest for Belarus in the region?

- I believe that Belarus has a dominant role in safety of the region. If you recall the history and past wars, Poland has always been a victim of attacks coming through Belarus. Or in times of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - Poland, White Russia, Red Ruthenia and Lithuania - we used to be one state and made our way through that region. Belarus is the heart of the European security. And here is a question about the role of Belarus: whether it will be a part of western, independent countries, or a Russian province and the ground for deployment of Russian divisions before the march westwards. This is a grave problem which Belarus and the West face. What is the course of Belarus' policy, foreign one as well? I guess Poland has started to notice and see the role of Belarus. And the only option is to understand how to combine it. On the one hand we have the current government of Belarus with the Russian influence, on the other hand - I guess the majority of Belarusians wakes up to the fact that Pahonia and a white-red-white flag is the best option.

– Does it threaten the security of Belarus?

- No way. The Russian side constantly says that Poland allegedly wants to take away Hrodna or Brest region. This is nonsense, of course. Poland does not intend to attack someone and we believe that borders should remain. In fact, it may cause further changes which can result into war in Europe. It would be the best variant if we could act like in the EU - where people can easily meet and make deals. Therefore, Poland would like to have a free and democratic neighbour which is the part of the West, and this is what I wish for our Belarusian brothers.