Opinions & Interviews

Experts urge to drop phobias of external threats to Belarus’ independence

MINSK, 4 December (BelTA) – Experts urge to stop fretting over external threats to Belarus’ independence. The matter was discussed at the first session of the Expert Environment project at the BelTA press center. The first session was titled “Parliament of the Seventh Convocation: Objectives of the Legislative Branch of Power”.

During a media appearance after casting his ballot at the 17 November parliamentary elections, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the new parliament would have a lot of tasks to address. The major concern of all branches of power in Belarus is to preserve the state, its sovereignty and independence. According to Director of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies Oleg Makarov, the head of state did not mean any specific threats. “Any young state is permanently exposed to risks these days,” he noted.

Belarus is no exception. It will be exposed to risks for quite a long time till people come to understand the role and place of Belarus in Europe and in geopolitics in general. “Preserving stability is even more important today than responding to some threats. Stability is our way, it is about moving towards maturity and building understanding of our life in the conditions of independence and sovereignty,” Oleg Makarov underlined. The history of independent Belarus is not so long yet. “We are witnesses of the sovereign life. This is the foundation of Belarus’ prosperity in the future, as prosperity is based on following our own path,” the expert said.

Speaking about challenges for the country’s independence, MP Igor Marzalyuk emphasized that external threats are just phobias. “An external threat can never lead to the loss of independence if a country is strong and consolidated,” he said.

MP Andrei Savinykh noted that response to external threats makes a country stronger. “External crises should be welcome. They help us remain in good form,” the MP said. Internal threats, both political and economic ones, are much more dangerous than external threats, they should not be underestimated, Andrei Savinykh believes. From this standpoint, independence can be viewed as a process, a value that should be protected and strengthened.

The BelTA press center hosted the first session of the Expert Environment project together with the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies. The project is not just a platform to exchange views. Experts do not discuss popular cliches here. The project is unique because its participants try to look further than the eye can see. The project brings together analysts, representatives of think tanks, opinion leaders and experts.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks