Belarus suspends participation in conventional arms treaties in Europe

Minsk, May 30 (IANS): Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed the document suspending the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), media reported.

The document was signed by Lukashenko on May 24, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said the decision to suspend the CFE Treaty was taken against the backdrop of the collapse of the existing conventional arms control system in Europe and the further escalation of the military and political situation in the region.

The ministry added that if NATO lifts its suspension of the treaty, Belarus will do the same.

The CFE Treaty was signed in Paris in November 1990 by 16 NATO member states and six Warsaw Pact states. It entered into force in November 1992.

The treaty limits the amount of military equipment that signatory states may possess.