Lukashenko tells Lithuania to mind its own problems instead of Belarus'

MINSK, 3 September (BelTA) – A number of comments about foreign interference in domestic affairs of the country were made by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko as he authorized the appointment of new heads of municipal executive bodies in several districts of Gomel Oblast on 3 September, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that Lithuanian leadership often criticizes Belarus and claims that the country's economy has collapsed and everything as a whole is just wrong. “I've already said that Lithuania had about 4 million people or even more than that during the Soviet times. Why does such an advanced and reformed country like Lithuania lack people now? I think there is a bunch of problems over there that need to be addressed. Lithuania shouldn't mind problems of its neighbors if the neighbors treated the country right, fed it and still feed it with work in ports and so on,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also dwelled on Belarusian-Polish relations. “They see how Poles live in Belarus. But those are Belarusian Poles. We've lived with them in peace and accord for a quarter of the century under Lukashenko and there have never been any problems. But certainly we will never take lying down the fact that Polish flags are hung on balconies in Grodno and open statements are made that Grodno Oblast will be merged with Poland if Belarus collapses. It won't be merged. Nobody will allow the destruction of Belarus. We have enough means and methods to avert it,” he stated.