MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – The security of the country lies in the unity of the people, a strong domestic and foreign policy of the state, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in his State of the Nation Address on 24 April, BelTA has learned.
The head of state stated with regret that once again the countries have decided to rely on force, including the military force, as a way to ensure and promote their interests. “We hear statements that the cold war, even a colder one, has returned. This is an explosive situation. It clearly demonstrates how fragile the world can be,” he said.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that any achievements of civilization, wealth and ambitious personal successes pale away in the face of the threat. “We understand that our security is in the unity of the people, a strong domestic and foreign policy of the state,” the president said.
“Stability and cohesion of the society, its unity have come at a price. We have something to lose and to defend. It is better to realize it in time. So that we would not face the situation which people describe as ‘things are only treasured after they are gone,” the head of state noted.
He stressed that the responsibility for peace and order lies with every resident of Belarus: starting from one's own family, household, city or village, and ending with the country. “If we are together, then we are a force capable of withstanding any challenges,” the Belarusian leader said.
“Frankly speaking, one year ago we were projecting more modest results than the ones we received. Thanks to the efficiency that we worked as a country and the hard work of Belarusian people, we have reaped positive results. We seem to have overcome the recent negative trends by joint efforts,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
A year ago, Belarus launched a course to build an IT-nation. “Since then the activity of the Hi-Tech Park has markedly intensified. The export surged by 25% to surpass $1 billion, which happened for the first time in the history of the Hi-Tech Park,” the head of state noted.
Alexander Lukashenko noted: “It is necessary to form the atmosphere of a new business climate based on businesslike relations and mutual trust. The more complicated the external situation is, the smoother the interaction of all elements and entities in the economic life of the country should be.”
"It is necessary to enable such conditions for the capital that no other country can provide. At least, we should be the first to do this and take the lead,” Alexander Lukashenko remarked.
Alexander Lukashenko stated: “The key challenge the government and the central bank will have to deal with in the next few years is overgrowing the debt burden and reaching the safety zone. We should leave Belarus without debts to future generations."
According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus does not fully utilize the benefits of its geographical location. “This year the central government should give me a document, which will make the world see Belarus from this angle, too,” said the president.
“We need to involve small and medium-sized businesses into the export promotion programs. This is particularly true for services sectors. Tourism, healthcare, sport are those sectors where we are actually marking time, although there are many opportunities for export growth,” the head of state noted.
The head of state said: “The international community has seen Minsk's ability to implement significant projects. Raising Belarus' role in regional and international politics is a common strategic task, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other interested ministries, government agencies, and companies should tackle together.”
The Union State project with Russia is still relevant. Due to the very tense international situation (perhaps, the most difficult for the last decades), our partnership is becoming more and more valuable, the president said.
The trust-based relations between the countries, comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation were established in 2016. Our ties have been growing dynamically both in terms of quantity and quality,the head of state noted.
“I will never make you, specialists, judges, and the people decide whether to adjust the constitutional basis of our state to any person. This will never happen,” Alexander Lukashenko noted addressing those present in the Oval Hall.
The head of state noted: “The increase in the level of political contacts and the expansion of economic interaction are obvious. We should use the constructive potential of the Eastern Partnership Initiative as much as possible.”
According to the president, the government's insufficient management of the economy has a direct impact on the country's fiscal policy. “My instruction is to increase the share of the budgetary expenditure for social protection every year.
Making the economy stronger and making Belarusians richer come to the forefront now. The world has not become simpler. It has become more interesting and has given equal opportunities and chances to everyone. Their proper use will determine the country's future, independence, and success, said Alexander Lukashenko.
