MINSK, 6 November (BelTA) - The swearing-in ceremony of the Belarusian President took place at the Palace of Independence, BelTA has learned.
The motorcade of the head of state arrived at the Palace of Independence.
Alexander Lukashenko walked the red carpet past the guard of honor on route to the Palace of Independence. In the Ceremonial Hall President Alexander Lukashenko swore the Oath of the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Alexander Lukashenko proceeded to the Ceremonial Hall of the Palace of Independence to join Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the Supreme Court Valentin Sukalo, Chairman of the Constitution Court Piotr Miklashevich, Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina.
To the strains of the solemn march the State Flag, the Standard of the President and the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus were brought in.
Lidia Yermoshina announced the decision of the Central Election Commission and invited Alexander Lukashenko to take the oath of office.
Alexander Lukashenko has been sworn-in as the President of Belarus.
In accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the President assumes the office after taking the following oath:
Assuming the office of the President of the Republic of Belarus, I solemnly swear to faithfully serve the people of the Republic of Belarus, to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of man and of the citizen, to observe and protect the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, and to fulfill strictly and conscientiously the lofty duties that have been bestowed upon me.
Alexander Lukashenko, with his right hand on the Constitution, said the words of the oath in Belarusian.
After that Alexander Lukashenko signed the act of taking the oath, and Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina handed over the Certificate of the President of the Republic of Belarus to him.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of over 1,000 guests, including top government officials, members of both chambers of parliament, civil servants and executives, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and foreign dignitaries.
The President of the Republic of Belarus shall be the guarantor of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the rights and freedoms of man and of the citizen. The President shall personify the unity of the nation, guarantee the implementation of the main guidelines of the domestic and foreign policy, represent the Republic of Belarus in relations with other states and international organizations. The President shall take measures on protection of sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus, its national security and territorial integrity, ensure its political and economic stability, continuity and interaction of the bodies of state power, maintain the intermediation among the bodies of state power. The President shall enjoy immunity, and his honor and dignity shall be protected by the law.
Inaugural Address by President Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko noted that he was overwhelmed with pride for the close-knit Belarusian society, for millions of fellow citizens living in this sovereign country. “During the recent president election, our people once again demonstrated to the whole world the highest level of political culture, their unity in the face of external challenges, and independence of decisions. Nothing divided us in the past or at present, and I am confident that nothing will divide us in the future,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
The head of state pointed out that “numerous observers, both national and international, had the opportunity to make sure that the electoral campaign was calm, open, and in full compliance with the Belarusian law.” All presidential candidates were provided with plenty of opportunities for campaigning.
Alexander Lukashenko expressed his heartfelt gratitude to fellow citizens and everyone who supported him. The head of state said that it was not his personal success but the victory of the whole nation. “This is a victory of the people of Belarus. I emphasize, without any flattery, that the recent electoral campaign was the first campaign that all of us were proud of, proud of ourselves and our people. Belarusians calmly and openly cast their votes and showed who make decisions in this country. This is a great achievement of the Belarusian people. I feel proud to serve this country,” the President said.
At this difficult time, the people of Belarus showed their unity and took part in the election. With their votes, they expressed support for the domestic and foreign policy we have been conducting for more than 20 years already.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that today too much is being talked and written about structural reforms. Nobody says what exactly the reforms are, pointed out the President.
“If someone supports reforms, be honest and say that we have to break down the political system, the state system of Belarus, that we have to divide, cut into pieces and give away people's state-owned property,” said the President. “It is what these reforms are all about. Someone is ready to pay a lot for these reforms.”
Alexander Lukashenko invited reform proponents to say honestly that they suggest raising the retirement age, introducing fees for healthcare services, education and so on.
The President said he was convinced it is necessary to think whether the country needs such reforms. Russia and Ukraine have already implemented such reforms. Alexander Lukashenko said it would be a good idea to learn from mistakes of other countries. “They have already tasted these reforms and what are the results?” asked the President. “What's wrong with the system we have created?” Alexander Lukashenko reminded about the accomplishments achieved by the social security system, including healthcare and education.
“Our peaceful and safe country will have to solve important economic issues. We need to raise the economy to a higher level. The economy of the next five-year period will be brand-new. We will continue the technological, administrative and innovative modernization,” the head of state said.
“Frugality, quality and efficient management should be the top priorities. Besides, the unconditional demand to preserve jobs and pay decent salaries remains intact,” the President stressed.
“Our main objective is to do our best to build the innovative economy, the economy of knowledge. Our country should become one of the most developed states in the future,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
“We will do our utmost to turn Belarus into one of the most attractive destinations for foreign capital,” the head of state stressed. “Relying on cooperation with the business communities of leading countries, the cooperation ties with our traditional partners, we are going to bolster our export. Apart from that, we will step up efforts to find new sales markets.” The President emphasized that the country has done a lot in this field in recent years.
“A well-developed economy will be a guarantor of Belarus' independence,” the head of state believes.
“We are building the state for the people. Therefore, higher living standards of people will remain a priority for us. It is essential to apply the best practices in education, healthcare, and social security,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. “We will do our best to protect healthcare and education because without them there will be no knowledge, the economy of knowledge, and the nation.”
Our intentions are simple and straightforward: to build a peaceful and happy life in our own home, in collaboration and cooperation with all our neighbors.
“We never created problems to our neighbors. We have always been friends with them, with an open mind, with a piece of bread, not a stone, in our hand. And this will remain so!” he said.
He noted that Belarus is one of the most stable countries in the world. By developing the transportation and logistics infrastructure, the country has become an indispensable transit corridor. A huge flow of goods goes through the country, and this flow will continue increasing.
"Peace and order on our land are above all. If there is disorder, a conflict or war, then there is no need for bread, clothes, paychecks, companies or reforms. Therefore, peace and order are the main things!” the head of state said. He added that Leonid Kuchma who was present at the inauguration ceremony "can tell more about this."
"I stress again we will spare no efforts to preserve peace and stability on our land,” the Belarusian President noted.
Alexander Lukashenko reminded to all present that Belarus is the safest and most reliable route linking Europe and Asia. “No doubt these two civilizations will be edging closer. There is no alternative to integration. The confrontation between the West and the East only lead to further escalation of conflicts, humanitarian catastrophes, a sharp drop in the living standards of people and overall degradation,” the head of state believes.
“Belarusians, a tolerant and open-hearted nation, will do their best to promote mutual understanding and cooperation on the continent to become a link between states and nations. This is one of the most important tasks of mine on the post of the President,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed. “If this goal is achieved, it will greatly benefit both Belarus and other countries,” the Belarusian leader is confident.
“The old saying goes: when a nation is united, it is unconquerable. Our history and experience show us to cherish harmony and concord in the society like the apple of one's eye. We should be one inseparable unity, a monolithic organism that is called the “Belarusian people”, the head of state stressed.
Alexander Lukashenko noted: “We should understand the main thing: our future is in our hands. The solution to our own problems can be found, first of all, inside the country.”
According to the President, Belarus will develop only through only hard work, common sense and wisdom. "You, Belarusians, do not take offense with me but I promise to push you when I see that you have started being lazy. There is no way that only the authorities are to be blame for everything while all the others are good. Before you criticize someone, look at yourself and ask whether you have done everything to make sure your family, your relatives, friends, acquaintances and the country be happy and live well. Probably not everything. Let's start with ourselves. If we do, then we will stop talking about reforms. We are just going to live beautifully, and we will not have to do any reforms to scrap the existing political and economic system,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President also noted that now a new page has opened in the history of Belarus. "It will be very informative, interesting and incredibly difficult. To successfully move forward, we need to use all our reserves, to show restraint, selflessness, determination, talent. In a word, we need to show our best qualities, the inner spiritual core. Thanks to it our people came out the winner from any situation because they believed in their own strength,” the Belarusian leader said.
"We all want to live well. It is a normal desire, a normal expectation that people have of the authorities. Moreover, we all want to live very well. But I emphasize again: everything depends on us. We work better, we will live life. A simple formula that nobody could have undone,” Alexander Lukashenko concluded.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Palace of Independence for the first time.
After that the inaugural events moved on to the Square of the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus where the army swore an oath of allegiance to the Belarusian nation and the President. At the end of the ceremony the guard of honor company marched past the head of state.
Apart from that, on the occasion of the President's inauguration the Palace of the Republic hosted a festive concert titled as Together Into a New Day. The country's top stage welcomde adults and children, talents that have yet to prove themselves and famous Belarusian artists, famous Belarusians, who live in various countries across the globe yet are united in their love of Belarus.
