MINSK, 12 February (BelTA) – The government of Belarus will not fall to its knees in front of business, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the 6th Belarusian People's Congress on 12 February, BelTA informs.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the government will always support businesses that work in the interests of the country and its people. However, if business people are involved in destructive activities or break the law, the response will be adequate. “We will support any business people who are patriots of their country. We do not need unpatriotic people here, let them leave with the money they stole, otherwise they will wreak havoc on the country,” the head of state said emotionally.
“Remember: Belarus is not Russia, the authorities here will not get on their knees in front of business. I think after the recent events the Russian president is reconsidering his attitude to some business people and other figures who (the same as in Belarus) have recently changed their allegiance. Yesterday they smiled, were on their hands and knees in front of Putin - today they are criticizing him. This has not happened in Belarus and will not happen if we want to retain the country,” the president said. Aleksandr Lukashenko reiterated that the state will support socially responsible businesses.
The head of state also gave his take on the so-called solidarity day. According to him, about 200 businesses in Minsk closed on that day to show solidarity with protesters. “Are they in short supply here? Individual vendors, cafes and so one. I told the State Control Committee: once they closed (it was not our initiative) – none of them should open again,” the president noted.
