Opinions & Interviews

MOGILEV, 22 July (BelTA) - Economy and demography are the main factors of Belarus’ security, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the meeting with the personnel of Mogilevliftmash on 22 July, BelTA has learned.

One of the workers of the enterprise asked what are the pillars of the security and order in Belarus and what is to be done to protect them.

“We need people. The population of Belarus should be at least two times more – 20 million people. This is a factor of security, defense capacity, and power of the country. The population is too small here,” the President said, “The second factor of security is the economy and enterprises. We should have well-developed villages and cities, robust manufacturing, transport, communications, construction, etc. The power of the state also relies on employed people,” the President said.

With regard to ensuring the security of the country, Alexander Lukashenko recalled that he recently discussed this issue with KGB Chairman Valery Vakulchik. “I warned him and all others who wear uniforms today that all of us, from President to ordinary policemen, KGB officers and firefighters, are responsible for security, and we must ensure it, no matter what,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The head of state drew attention to another aspect of the security of citizens, this time at the household level. He recalled the numerous accidents of children drowning or falling out of windows of residential buildings. “This is what all of us should take care of. This is family safety. There are many road accidents, drunkards in the streets and drug users. Although the cases are not that many as compared to other countries, we still have a lot of people dying from these factors,” Alexander Lukashenko said.