MINSK. Sept 11 (Interfax) - The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has informed members of foreign diplomatic missions of preparations for and details of the upcoming Belarus-Russia Zapad (West) 2017exercise, the ministry said on Monday.
"The event was attended by 56 heads and members of diplomatic missions from 37 countries and international organizations accredited in the Republic of Belarus," the ministry said following the news briefing.
The attendees were informed about key aspects of preparations for the exercise and its details, it said.
"It was particularly emphasized during the event that Belarus is making as much of an effort as it can to ensure that the planned exercises in Belarusian territory proceed safely, transparently, and efficiently," the ministry said.
The Russia-Belarus Zapad 2017 strategic exercises will take place on September 14-20. They are expected to involve some 13,000 servicemen, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said earlier. "About 12,700 servicemen are expected to be involved in the drills. Around 7,200 people from the Belarusian Defense Ministry, some 5,500 people from the Russian Armed Forces, about 3,000 out of them in Belarus," Fomin said.