Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) - Belarus has neither excessive geopolitical ambitions nor an outsider complex, President Alexander Lukashenko said in his State of the Nation Address on 24 April, BelTA has learned.

“We take pride in our country. Respecting all the nations and states, we have a full right to demand the same in return. Belarus is a European country with a steadily developing economy, a calm public and political situation, interfaith peace and a responsible foreign policy. We do not cause problems, and only help solve them if needed,” said the head of state.

He noted at the same time that the country’s successes are not hailed by everyone. There have been attempts, especially recently, to belittle the role of the state reducing it to far-fetched human rights issues. The emphasis is made on the youth, on encouraging them to commit illegal actions, the president said.

“But all their sabotage activity becomes useless when, for example, our young athlete leaves the podium on hearing someone else's anthem played in her honor. When our talented girl interrupts the famous TV host asking him to pronounce the name of her homeland right. This is the true patriotism. You do not talk about it. It lives in your heart,” the Belarusian leader said. He thanked the parents and teachers who have raised true Belarusians.

Alexander Lukashenko expressed his confidence that these are not the first and not the last sprouts of national consciousness. “For us they are the most precious because they originated in pure, sincere souls of children. They have become a living proof of what we have done: created a strong independent state,” the president said.