MOSCOW, 14 March (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has been awarded the Badge of Honor “For Contribution to the Development of Parliamentarism” of the Federation Council of Federal Assembly of Russia, BelTA has learned.
Concluding his speech in the Federation Council, the president thanked the senators for the development of interparliamentary cooperation with Belarus, especially between the upper houses - the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus.
Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed special words of gratitude to Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko. Speaking about her personal attitude to the relations with Belarus, the head of state mentioned a conversation he once had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin told me once: 'You have the strongest “secret service” here, which is headed by Valentina Matviyenko. As soon as someone starts speaking [negatively] about Belarus, Valentina Ivanovna [Matviyenko] interrupts them immediately to defend Belarus,” the president said.
“Allow me, on behalf of all senators of the Russian Federation, to thank you for this honor and for taking the time to visit the Federation Council, for your eloquent, brilliant speech imbued with the spirit of creativity, openness and true Belarusian-Russian fraternal friendship,” Valentina Matviyenko said addressing the head of state in turn. “The fact that we have achieved such large-scale results of mutually beneficial strategic partnership, the fact that we are moving so confidently towards the creation of the Union State come as the key merit of Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as your personal merit, dear, distinguished Aleksandr Grigoriyevich [Lukashenko]. It was you who stood at the origins of the Union State.”
“When our two states are ruled by such strong-willed, wise, far-sighted leaders, firmly defending national interests, and true patriots of our Fatherland, we are not afraid of any external challenges and threats. Together we will overcome everything, because we are on the right side of history and the truth is with us,” she added.
In a solemn atmosphere Valentina Matviyenko presented Aleksandr Lukashenko with the Badge of Honor “For Contribution to the Development of Parliamentarianism” of the Federation Council. The president was honored for his great contribution to the development of the Union State, strengthening friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and Belarus.
The Belarusian head of state thanked for the award and, addressing the audience, said: “Never retreat, move forward! A lot depends on you not only in Russia.”
After addressing the Federation Council, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Valentina Matviyenko toured the exhibition highlighting Russian-Belarusian parliamentary cooperation.
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