Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko about flag incident in Riga: Such things inspire the feeling of patriotism in us

MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – While talking to MPs in the Oval Hall on 26 May Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a few comments about the popularization of state symbols. The incident with the removal of the Belarusian state flag in Riga was mentioned, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that as far as the popularization of state symbols is concerned, it is impossible to artificially accelerate time but situations like the one in Riga inspire a surge of patriotism and respect for national symbols in citizens.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the Latvian minister of foreign affairs and the Riga mayor replaced the Belarusian state flag with a white-red-white one without even thinking who could benefit from it and an overwhelming majority of Latvians did not support these actions.

“Such moments inspire the feeling of patriotism and devotion in us. We become people who care about the state, a nation,” the head of state stressed. At the same time Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that there is nothing good, for instance, in the mutual expulsion of diplomats from Belarusian and Latvian embassies.

Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned it is important to regularly popularize state symbols. It is important to allow citizens to acquire these symbols at an affordable price.

“We should become ready for it. We should eradicate the come-what-may attitude if we want to be a nation, a sovereign and independent state. We have to be more active,” the Belarusian leader concluded.

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