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MINSK, 22 June (BelTA) – The program for Belarus’ social and economic development in 2016-2020 aims for the future and envisages concrete actions, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the 5th Belarusian People’s Congress on 22 June, BelTA has learned.

“This is a program for development, not stagnation. It aims for the future, not the past. And it is a program of action, not expectations,” the President stressed.

“We perfectly understand that problems do not get solved by themselves, and crisis phenomena will not disappear with a wave of a wand. This is why the principles of progress and openness have been laid as the basis of the program. We place our stakes on knowledge and technology. This is the key to solving the current problems and for moving forward,” the head of state stressed.

Another special feature of the program is that it is feasible. There are no excessive promises or unattainable goals in it. “The program analyzes not only the objective difficulties we are faced with, but also our mistakes. And it suggests ways to fix them. Together with you, we will estimate how accurate the analysis is and how insightful its suggestions are,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader also pointed out that the five-year program is a program for evolution, rather than revolution. “The document ensures continuity of our course of action and preserves the foundations of the Belarusian model. We are strongly opposed to radicalism, shocks and destruction of everything we have created. Government for the people, justice, and protection of the common man will remain the pillars of the Belarusian state. In setting the objectives for the next five years, we have a clear reference point – the election program of the President. The Belarusian people voted for this program,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

He noted that some people may think that some of the objectives indicated in the program will be difficult to achieve. “We have no alternative. We cannot stop developing. We cannot let our country face stagnation, or even worse, regression. We can and must find reserves for growth. We can and must mobilize our efforts. We can and must give a second wind to our economy and secure another breakthrough,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.