MINSK, 25 July (BelTA) - “During this five-year term, we accomplished the main thing: we proved that a sovereign and independent Belarus was a reality. We proved it to ourselves and once again proved it to the world - the Belarusian people have their own country!” Aleksandr Lukashenko said in his new Year Address to the Belarusians on 31 December 2005. Already then, almost 20 years ago, the most important thing for the president was the strengthening of sovereignty and independence of Belarus. 2005, the final year in the five-year period, was indeed packed with big events. These milestones are featured in the new episode of the YouTube project “How it Was”.
By 2005, Belarus had finally recovered from the turmoil that all post-Soviet countries faced in the 1990s. In terms of GDP per capita Belarus rose to one of the leading positions in the CIS. Salaries and pensions were on the rise, and every second Belarusian family had a car. 
In fact, the results of the five-year plan were obvious. 2005 was no exception. Belarus once again made headlines as BelAZ produced the world’s most powerful truck. The reconstruction of the Mother and Child center began in the spring of 2005. On 30 December, in the run-up to the New Year, the modernized power unit No 3 of the Bereza state district power plant was put into operation.
In 2005, the decree “On strengthening financial support to families at the birth of children” came into force. The government began to pay an additional allowance three times the subsistence minimum for the birth of third and subsequent children. In general, the plan was much broader: to raise the technological level of the entire healthcare system.
“I am often asked about our national dignity. What are the people of Belarus proud of? Life gives the answer. These are the results of our common work! Just think about it! We have increased GDP by 1.5 times for the past five years and doubled it in the last decade! 2005 is the final year in another five-year plan,” the head of state noted while summing up the 2005 results in his New Year address.
In fact, the results of the five-year plan were obvious. 2005 was no exception. Belarus once again made headlines as BelAZ produced the world’s most powerful truck. The reconstruction of the Mother and Child center began in the spring of 2005. On 30 December, in the run-up to the New Year, the modernized power unit No 3 of the Bereza state district power plant was put into operation.
The social sector was improving. One of the key issues was the revival and development of rural communities. Today we can confidently say that the village in Belarus has been saved. Back then, in 2005, a certain amount of work had to be done. Aleksandr Lukashenko's trip to the village of Zakozel, Drogichin District, was a telling example. Same-type residential development was emerging in agro-towns. Later such houses would even be called “presidential”. In Drogichin District Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined the requirements to such houses. 
“I want you to treat this construction project as if you build these houses for yourselves. This is how you should approach it. What is missing in such houses? Especially those to be built in a rural community. You realize the amount of dirty clothes, overalls, children’s clothes… There are not enough closets for clothes and so on. Closets are not enough even for a town house. This is why it is absolutely necessary to add a basement, to waterproof it well. No one says it must be something sophisticated. Make it out of foundation blocks and plaster it. Let a farmer have a room under the main house to put a boiler for heating. A mansard roof is a must. No frills either. Just plank it and that's it. At least the family will have a spare room,” the president said.
In 2005, the decree “On strengthening financial support to families at the birth of children” came into force. The government began to pay an additional allowance three times the subsistence minimum for the birth of third and subsequent children. In general, the plan was much broader: to raise the technological level of the entire healthcare system.
2005 marked the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Then the president promised every Belarusian that “we will do everything possible to ensure that the Armed Forces of Belarus will be able to rise up to the new challenges of the 21st century.” As we can see, he delivered on his promise. The historical and cultural complex Stalin Line was unveiled ahead of the 60th anniversary of Great Victory. Aleksandr Lukashenko also attended the opening ceremony. In this regard the head of state has been consistent too: the country’s attitude to the feat of the Soviet soldiers has remained the same for almost 20 years.
This year was also remembered for high-profile visits. Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Beijing and New York. Relations between Belarus and China entered a qualitatively new stage. By the way, the Belarusian delegation was allowed to visit the most important strategic facility of the Celestial Empire - the Academy of Space Technology. In the United States, the president took part in the UN summit. Even then, the president talked about peace and stability as the main things for Belarus. “Belarusians could achieve everything else themselves,” he said.
Of course, these are not all the events that 2005 is remembered for. Find more, please watch our project "How It Was" on BelTA’s YouTube channel.
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