Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko names key quality of Belarusians that helped preserve country

VOLOZHIN, 19 October (BelTA) – Belarusians have built on the legacy of the Soviet Union, turning this legacy into national brands, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the regional stage of the Dazhynki harvest festival in Volozhin on 19 October, BelTA has learned.

“Today, Minsk Oblast is one of the country's leaders in terms of manufacturing and agriculture. But there was a time when we literally stood at crossroads trying to figure out what way to go: to promote industry, become an agricultural country, or to sell the Soviet legacy to foreigners and focus, as they would say, on the services sector. The results of our choice are visible to everyone today - ourselves, our friends and foes,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He stated that Belarus has a highly efficient agro-industrial complex, a developed mining industry, world-class mechanical engineering, advanced oil refining and much, much more.

“Nothing has been squandered or lost. We have built on the legacy of the powerful Soviet Union, turning this wealth into national brands of modern Belarus. How did we manage to do this? Thanks to the people living on the blessed Belarusian land, their wisdom, patience and, most importantly, hard work,” the president emphasized.

“It helped us survive all turbulent times. The native land has always given us strength, food and confidence in the future. The country's successes come from collective work. This has always been like that and it will remain so. Our solid harvest this year is the result of the work of all the regions of our Belarus,” the president remarked.

Minsk Oblast has harvested over 2.5 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops, maize and rapeseed this year, more than any other region. It has grown a quarter of grain crops. If we compare it with the mid-1990s, this is half of what was harvested in entire Belarus.

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