Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko, Zyuganov discuss Belarusian-Russian relations
MINSK, 5 September (BelTA) – The development of the Belarusian-Russian relations was discussed at the meeting of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko with Chairman of the Communist Party faction in the Russian parliament Gennady Zyuganov on 5 September, BelTA has learned.
“First of all, you are welcome to the social state with the socialist ideology,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “I emphasize absolutely openly and sincerely that your ideas are not foreign to us. More than that, unlike other post-Soviet republics we are trying and often manage to fulfill these ideas. Therefore, the idea that the market will save us, that capitalism is the only system which can exist today is complete nonsense. It is just important to work and value people. The time will come when we will regret forgetting the things of the past.”
The president added that people also feel it. “People used to be elated by the thought that, perhaps, our life would be a bed of roses with market relations and capitalism like in Europe. But it turned out quite the opposite,” he said. “We are trying to hold on, but it is not easy without you.”
Gennady Zyuganov agreed with the Belarusian president that today the countries cannot be vigorously developing alone. “We are living in terms of crisis, new sanctions which make us join our efforts, promote unity, strengthen friendship and economic ties.”
He also spoke about the broadcasting of Russian TV channels in Belarus: “I have noticed that you are broadcasting everything. They may reproach you, but you are broadcasting absolutely everything.”
Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus is committed to this policy in the information sector. “We are not afraid of anything, we show how our “older brothers” live, what ideas different groups of people and political parties have,” he explained.
Gennady Zyuganov said that some time ago he sent specialists to Belarus to study the experience of developing agribusiness, utilities sector, mechanical engineering. Many progressive ideas of Belarusians were used at Russian enterprises. In particular, the leader of the Russian Communist Party spoke about the Lenin state-owned farm (sovkhoz). He described it as a zone of social optimism.
In his words, this is one of the most successful farms in Russia. “It has everything: the best gardens in Central Russia, an excellent farm, a great social complex. An excellent school and a kindergarten have been commissioned this year. This school offers all kinds of vocational training,” Gennady Zyuganov said. “We did not borrow money from the state. Everything was earned by the farm workers.” He invited Alexander Lukashenko to pay a visit to the farm.
print version
make home page
add to bookmarks
