President: Role of Belarus Security Council Secretary to be strengthened

Alexander Lukashenko listened to a report from the State Secretary of the Security Council and the head of the KGB on defense and security issues in Belarus, updating and specifying tasks for the KGB's activities. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening the coordinating role of the State Secretariat of the Security Council and the State Secretary personally.

"Currently, you mostly interact with the military, because you are a military man yourself. That's good. You're like a fish in water there. You have slightly less interaction with the Interior Ministry, but it's simpler. As for the KGB — it's sort of terra incognita," Lukashenko said to State Secretary of the Security Council Alexander Volfovich.

"It's clear that there are details and nuances (the KGB Chairman knows this) that are reported only to the President — foreign intelligence, agents, residencies, and so on. Only the President should know this. It must not spread or leak. There are specific issues where information is reported and approval, consent, or some concept, some program is obtained," Lukashenko added.

The head of state emphasized that direct relations with the Minister of Defense and the Chairman of the KGB will be maintained.

"I often tell the State Secretary: 'You are the President's assistant on these matters.' But despite this, your role as State Secretary will be strengthened from today. That's why I've invited you — so you understand this. Without any excesses," the President concluded.