EU, Russian brothers, Armenia, killing criminals: Lukashenka addresses Belarus nation

On April 24, Alyaksandr Lukashenka has delivered during his annual State of the Nation Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly.

‘We know where we are going and what we want’ were final words of the speech, which was record short this time – only 80 minutes.

Belsat.eu has picked out the most interesting moments of the address:

Belarus, not Byelorussia

Lukashenka remembered the case of the Belarusian athlete who left the podium when a wrong anthem started to be played as well as a Belarusian girl who asked famous Russian TV person Maxim Galkin to say ‘Belarus’, not Byelorussia in a live show.

“This is real patriotism. It is not just a topic for discussion, if one has it, they live with it in their hearts. I bow down before the parents who raised these children and thank the teachers who educated them into real Belarusians. I am sure that these were neither first nor last seedlings of national identity.”

EU resolution on Belarus

“In the recent times, [some] people are trying to depreciate the role of a state, to narrow it down only to trumped-up human rights issues. At that, they stake on young people prompting them to illegal actions.”

Relations with Russia, EU

According to Lukashenka, the EU-Belarus relations have improved due to recent difficulties in negotiating with Russia.

“We settled for the rapprochement with Europe, because we cannot normalise brotherly relations [with Russia – belsat.eu] <…> The EU is our neighbour, and it is the God who gives neighbours! This is an axiom! We should live with our neighbors in peace, be friends, and we do it.”

However, he also announced extending relations with Russia and China.

Milk war with Russia

Lukashenka criticised Russia’s recent ban on supplies of Belarusian dairy products.

“Why bring milk powder from New Zealand when Belarus is nearby? Why decide against cooperation and close the border with Belarus? <…> Instead of solving our problems, we shirtfront each other and strike in the face. That is the way we are losing each other.“

Corruption

“There should be no place for corruption in our country. The fight against corruption at all levels has been the most decisive and transparent. There are not not be any off-limit persons. The recent personnel replacements do speak for it.”

“Belarusian mass media regularly report on high-profile arrests and punishment of officials for such crimes. People may get the impression that everybody is a thief. Of course, this is not the case. There are many honest, decent people in the government. They are an absolute majority, otherwise it would be simply impossible to work. The things that our citizens see on television and read in newspapers only show the openness of the authorities in combating corruption!”

“We have the most harsh anti-corruption law in the post-Soviet space! It is simply impossible to sweep corruption cases under the carpet!”

At that, he also noted that as corruption was went wild in the transport sector, he should rather dismiss the Minister of Transport. Interestingly, Lukashenka went into detail about his methods of solving difficult issues:

“You must be out of your mind! Should I resort to tough measures like those in the early years of my presidencyl when people were killed on the Moscow-Berlin road? When I sent some trusted men with guns who shot down half [of gangsters] and put things in order with a month? Do yor job!”

Armenia

“They should not have played with the Constitution. Once we opted for removing restrictions on the election of any president [number of terms of office for one person – belsat.eu]. It is easy to bring about a change of power, but then one must show any results. We should contact Armenia and ask what we we can do for them. There is no need to change the Constitution for one person, because this person can come apart.”

Referendum on amending the Constitution

“I have never acted foul towards our people and I will never do so. I know where I came from and how I won presidential elections. I made a vow and I will never break it otherwise we will have another Armenia here.”

“If there is a referendum, we will inform the nation in advance, in accordance with the law. As for me, I have not even considered the issue of some referendum.”

“We should stop this fuss about referendum.”

“If anyone hopes that we will change the Constitution and this will pave the way for our maidans and maidan morons, they are stunningly mistaken. This will not happen as long as I am President of the country!” he warned.

Attracting investment

“Why is Chancellor Angela Merkel being criticized? These are gratuitous attacks. She realizess that there is a lack of labour force in Germany. She offered to attract workers; you may ask the Democrats what the result was. Lukashenka wants Belarus to become a honeypot for the best and brightest people!”

“The task of the government is to have a nigh-on magnetic attraction, to make Belarus attractive to the world’s richest people and provide them with conditions that do not exist in other countries. Belarus should stand out!”

“In 2020, Belarus should put its best foot forward and show the world that it is rejuvenated and comfortable for living and business!”

Technology

“We need to develop new directions. An IT-country shape is being emerged in Belarus.”

“We will continue to build the digital economy. The government has been instructed to establish a strong ministry for this field.”

Officials and executives

“In Belarus, there are fewer officials than in other countries, and we are not give them any break!”

“The Council of Ministers has to requalify all the executives. If someone is unable to work effectively, they are free to quit right away. The same applies to the ministers.”

Belarus economy

“We have as much money is as much as we earn. We do not resort to excessive money printing for solving our financial problems.”

“It is the workers and the state budget that pay the price of directors’ bloopers.”

Sanctions on Russia

Lukashenka accused the US of waging a war of sanctions against Russia. At the same time, he blamed Russia for imposing bans on Belarusian food products. In his view, turbulent times are looming.

“Sanction wars will backfire on belarus as well,” he warned.

Belsat.eu