On the eve of the referendum on the updated Constitution, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko delivered a Address. Everyone who heard him noticed the unusual format of the speech. The message was structured as three questions to the Belarusian people concerning the defense capability and protection of the state, the preservation of sovereignty and independence, as well as the initiative and effective work of everyone for the good of the country.

Discussing these fundamental issues, Alexander Lukashenko analyzed the current aspects of foreign and domestic policy, socio-economic prospects, challenges and threats faced by the country. Integration and partnership cooperation with the Russian Federation in all spheres was named among the main priorities of Belarus. As the President noted, the number one partner for Belarussia. What aspects of allied Belarusian-Russian relations were discussed in the Address?

Belarus ranks fourth in Russia's trade turnover

Belarussia are consistently moving along the path of economic integration. Almost half of Belarusian goods are exported to Russia. Cooperation is developing both on a bilateral basis within the framework of the Union State and as part of integration associations: the Eurasian Economic Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States. In Russia's foreign trade turnover, Belarus ranks fourth. About 7 million Russians are involved in cooperative ties, and more than 15 million people with their families. But not only and not so much the economy forms fraternal relations. They are much richer, more multifaceted, brighter. The fundamental basis of the unity of our destiny is blood ties, cultural heritage, historical memory. We do not just speak the same language, we literally understand each other perfectly. This is the result of the thousand-year history of our peoples.

The President of Belarus recalled the words of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who told reporters that integration between states implies, first of all, the development of economic cooperation. It should be the foundation of the relationship. “This is their understanding. And there is no need to reproach Russia today for wanting to absorb Belarus. There are no such goals,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. According to him, Belarussia, being independent states, are able to build such a system of cooperation that any association will envy it. The head of state drew attention to the support from Russia, which lent its shoulder to Belarus, even being under sanctions.

At the end of 2021, Belarussia approved 28 union programs, the main goal of which is the creation of new industries and competencies in key sectors, industrial cooperation between our countries with the formation of a stable core of basic technological chains.

According to the most modest estimates, Alexander Lukashenko noted, Belarus' GDP growth only through integration with Russia will be more than two percent.

Cooperation in the areas of investmentrepreneurship will reach a new level. In addition to enterprises and businesses, ordinary citizens will also feel the effect. The President added that relations with Russia lay the standards for working with the member states of the EAEU and the CIS.

Belarus is also aimed at maintaining and expanding the established close trade, economic and humanitarian ties with the post-Soviet republics.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that sometimes misunderstandings arose in relations between the countries, but this is already in the past: “I have always said: Russia needs Belarus as much as we need Russia. We need to build human, friendly, fraternal relations. no one has ever broken." At the same time, the President stressed that the West should understand such a position of Belarus. The Republic is ready to develop relations with him.

Peace is an absolute value for Belarusians, the most important, worldview

In his speech, Alexander Lukashenko paid much attention to foreign policy aspects, to the challenges and threats that not only Belarus, but also Russia and other countries of the post-Soviet space face today. In particular, he analyzed the situation with the escalation of tension along the borders, including the Belarusian-Polish one. Poland has long been trying to realize leadership ambitions in Eastern Europe. But, according to Alexander Lukashenko, leadership in Poland is understood not as a responsibility and an opportunity to be a link in the region, but as a confrontation with Russia, including through interference in the internal affairs of its neighbors. He stressed that the position of Belarus is unambiguous: such an escalation along the borders is unacceptable.Increasing tensions in the south are causing more concern. Ukraine becomes the subject of behind-the-scenes bargaining. Ukrainians form a hostile attitude towards the fraternal peoples, including the Belarusians. Alexander Lukashenko stressed that it is important for the West to "drown the Russian-Ukrainian brotherhood, our Slavic brotherhood, in blood." But we are native Slavic peoples, people from the same baptismal font. Our roots are from ancient times. And we must save it, no matter what the cost. After all, brotherhood is much higher than far-fetched grievances and small-town political ambitions.

The situation in Kazakhstan has shown that not only the Slavic, but also the Central Asian brotherhood has become a target. It is obvious that the West, in order to weaken Russia, will continue its tactics of undermining the post-Soviet space. Should we react in this whole situation and build up our defensive capabilities? The answer is obvious. Alexander Lukashenko stated: "If you want peace, alas, prepare for war..."

At the same time, the Head of State drew attention to the fact that Belarusians do not want war. Peace is an absolute value for Belarusians, the most important, worldview. And to preserve it, we all need to make tremendous efforts.

Alexander Lukashenko is sure that it is necessary to more actively develop cooperation with Russia and other CSTO allies. The example of Kazakhstan showed how quickly the CSTO can respond to security threats in the Eurasian space. The new Military Doctrine of the Union State will significantly strengthen the guarantees of peace in our region. In this regard, it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of strategic deterrence, to carry out joint measures for operational and combat training for defensive purposes.

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In the meantime

No one from the West will be able to break the fraternal relations between Belarussia, State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev said on the air of the ONT TV channel, BelTA informs. “The fact that the conversation about the future economic, social, political development of Belarus is designated as the future together with fraternal Russia, with which no one from the West can break relations, is gratifying, significant, expensive,” Dmitry Mezentsev said. He noted that Belarussia themselves determine "their own paths, steps towards each other, specific guidelines."

"We have different passports, but we have exactly the same rights in the labor market, the right to come to visit, the right to be treated, improve health, get a new education and feel like citizens of the Fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok," said the State Secretary of the Union State.

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