Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with Leonid Maltsev, Yuri Zhadobin

On 6 February President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko heard out reports of the State Secretary of the Security Council, Leonid Maltsev, and the Defense Minister, Yuri Zhadobin.

"I am interested in the situation in the Armed Forces, the modernization of the army, the number of soldiers and financing issues. Moreover, we need to discuss personnel matters and money allowances. And the main issue is the construction of houses for military men. We have agreed to work out a certain algorithm in this area. In this respect we have agreements with the President of Russia. I have sent a letter to him to discuss the necessity to collect more money for Belarusian soldiers from various areas of cooperation between Belarus and Russia. He promised to help," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to the head of state, the two countries have similar army and tasks. But the allowances of Belarusian and Russian military men are different. This situation is to be changed, the President said.

According to Defense Minister Yuri Zhadobin, on the whole the Armed Forces cope with their tasks. In November 2011 another conscription campaign was carried out.

Leonid Maltsev noted that the Armed Forces should be able to handle challenges and threats. It is important to adjust their structure, armament and the level of training in a way to meet this objective.

Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to concentrate on raising salaries of soldiers and other personnel of the Armed Forces.

Moreover, it is necessary to provide military men with houses.