ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO during a ceremonial honoring of farmers at the festival-fair "Dazhynki-2024" in Klimovichi Alexander Lukashenko during a speech at the COP29 summit in Baku Alexander Lukashenko during a visit to the renovated Traktor stadium Alexander Lukashenko during a ceremonial honoring of farmers at the festival-fair "Dazhynki-2024" in Klimovichi Alexander Lukashenko during a speech at the COP29 summit in Baku Alexander Lukashenko during a visit to the renovated Traktor stadium Alexander Lukashenko during a ceremonial honoring of farmers at the festival-fair "Dazhynki-2024" in Klimovichi
Topic
news The working schedule of the President of Belarus is always very eventful. Alexander Lukashenko holds conferences and working meetings on the most pressing issues of the country's development, regularly visits the regions, makes foreign visits and receives foreign guests himself, communicates with journalists, signs decrees and laws. And even when there are no public events, this does not mean that the HEAD of state is not working. However, even during his rest, be it hockey training or chopping wood, Alexander Lukashenko will occasionally find a reason for another order. As he likes to say, one must follow life in everything.
The "President's Week" project is for those who want to keep up with the head of state, to be aware of the most relevant statements and decisions of the Belarusian leader. During the week, Alexander Lukashenko was actively working both in Belarus and abroad. On Monday, he arrived in Baku for the World Climate Summit. On the sidelines of the forum, he held numerous meetings, not only in front of photo and video cameras, but also without them. And most importantly - from the high rostrum. The President remained true to himself and was as frank as possible, criticizing the powers that be for an abundance of words and an almost complete lack of real actions.
Already in
MINSK on Thursday, November 14, the President renovated the Traktor stadium and got acquainted with the infrastructure of the capital's culture and recreation park named after the 50th anniversary of the Great October. They talked a lot about sports, especially football, and what is needed for its development. On the field, Alexander Lukashenko talked with coaches and young football players of the Minsk club. He also answered journalists' questions, which, among other things, concerned the current electoral race.
On Saturday, Alexander Lukashenko at the Dozhynki in Klimovichi, Mogilev Region, thereby completing the promised regional tour to personally thank and reward workers in the agro-industrial complex for their work. The President emphasized that he is proud of the Belarusian people, and compared six regions and the city of
Minsk to a family. He also spoke in detail about the development tasks facing the country and regions in the next five years.
It is symbolic that on Sunday this week, workers and veterans of agriculture and the processing industry of the agro-industrial complex celebrate their professional
holiday , with which the head of state warmly congratulates them. A number of international congratulations on various occasions during the week on behalf of the President of Belarus were addressed to , , ,.
The head of state signed a number of important documents that concern the sphere, increasing the social status of veterans and war victims.
CLIMATE TALK. Why Lukashenko Criticized Some Colleagues and Who He Met at the Baku Summit
The President spent the beginning of the week in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, which this year hosted the World Climate Summit.
Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Baku on November 11, where in the evening of that day he met with the President of Azerbaijan and the host of the current summit, Ilham Aliyev. Just six months ago, the head of the Belarusian state made a state visit to this country, and the leaders, taking advantage of the opportunity, discussed the progress of the implementation of the agreements reached then. "We agreed on a lot. I think we have everything we need to move along this path. If our ministries move, then we can do a lot for the benefit of both Belarus and Azerbaijan," Alexander Lukashenko said at the meeting.
In general, such summits, which, as in this case, bring together dozens of heads of state and government, are always an opportunity to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event with both existing partners and make new acquaintances. And the head of state did not fail to take advantage of this, naturally, not without mutual interest from his foreign colleagues.
On the evening of the day of his arrival, Alexander Lukashenko was invited to an informal dinner by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Other high-ranking guests included the Crown Prince of Jordan, Hussein bin Abdullah, and the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, as well as members of the representative delegation of the UAE. A detailed conversation took place during the dinner, the details of which were not disclosed to the media.
The next day, already directly at the summit site, Alexander Lukashenko held talks with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, to whom he proposed relations between the two countries.
Another one - with the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa. The heads of state compared notes on a number of issues in the development of bilateral cooperation and the prospects for joint work on the African continent. "We still have a lot to do," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
But this is only what was officially captured on camera. In general, as BELTA was told in the Belarusian delegation, the geography of Alexander Lukashenko's meetings on the sidelines of the summit was much wider: the countries of the Persian Gulf, the African continent, Serbia and Slovakia, and the post-Soviet states.
For example, right during the summit, his counterpart from Guinea-Bissau, Oumarou Sisoku Embalo, approached the head of the Belarusian state, while Polish President Andrzej Duda was speaking at the podium.
The latter, by the way, made a very strange move by not showing up for a joint photo session with dozens of high-ranking guests of the summit. Duda later explained this by the presence of the President of Belarus there.
This incident was already in Minsk, in a conversation with journalists by Alexander Lukashenko himself: "One European (if Ryzhenkov had not told me, I would not have known) refused to be photographed (the "family photo" at the summit in Baku), because Lukashenko was there. No one even noticed it. I was standing there calmly. The Pakistani Prime Minister came up, many came up, greeted with respect. I also to them. Well, like family. No one noticed that he was not there. He sees that they did not notice him, and he began to PR, that he did not go to be photographed. Well, don't go. Lord, who was waiting for you there!"
It is difficult to say whether the Polish president really suffers from attention deficit, but there was definitely something wrong with the logic in his speech. He cheerfully spoke about how
Poland takes care of the animal and plant world, but never mentioned how his country, for example, built a fence right in the middle of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, because of which animals are now dying there.
Alexander Lukashenko's speech at the climate forum was brief (and not at all due to the fault of the Belarusian leader, but because of the UN Secretariat, which set a three-minute time limit for everyone), but sharp, frank and to the point. The powers that be also got it, but specific proposals were also made. At the same time, the President noted the brilliant organization of the summit by the host party, but he described the content of the discussion as nothing less than talk, calling for a move from words to action.
About the successes that do not exist Alexander Lukashenko came to the podium, having already listened to the speeches of a number of his colleagues. He decided not to make ceremonial and protocol speeches, especially since there was no time for this, but to say everything as it is - the truth.
"There has been a lot of talk here about who has done what to improve the climate. But I am comparing the last period after our previous summit. It has only gotten worse. The war in the Middle East, the war in
Ukraine , the war in southern Yemen. In total, there are more than 50 conflicts in the world that have a severe impact on
the climate on our planet. So, has it gotten better? Who started paying for emissions?" the head of state outlined the problem.
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that those who had previously been concerned about improving the climate were absent from this conference. "Moreover, they are sabotaging it. The worst will happen after the (past - BELTA) presidential elections in the United States of America. The question arises, so what is the effectiveness of our activities at such summits," the Belarusian leader noted. "Once, the President of France considered himself almost great for the Paris Agreement. And where is this President today? Is this really not relevant? This is the effectiveness of our work. So there is nothing to report on yet."
"I am saying this frankly because my country cannot be reproached in this regard. We strictly fulfill all the obligations we have taken upon ourselves," the head of state emphasized. "It is time to move from words to deeds. And those who must pay must pay, and not sit in their offices."
On the primary task The President noted that the climate has changed, and this is already a given. "Therefore, the primary task is to reconfigure national economies, primarily
agriculture , taking into account the changed conditions, to adapt it to the new conditions," he said.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that
Belarus is actively engaged in this topic and is ready to share experience.
On equal access to green technologies The head of state called for helping developing countries gain equal access to green technologies without harming their national interests: "Make sure that they do not fall into bondage as a result of this assistance. We must abolish everything that hinders international trade in technologies, the exchange of innovations and best practices."
On the impact of innovations on the environment According to Alexander Lukashenko, the world has already faced a situation where new
products , positioned as a more environmentally friendly alternative, cause no less harm. "Objectively, we need new approaches to a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of innovations on the environment throughout the entire life cycle of these products," he said.
THE PRESIDENT ON THE "TRACTOR". What Lukashenko said about his "village background" and what does football have to do with it On November 14, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited the renovated Traktor stadium and got acquainted with the infrastructure of the capital's 50th Anniversary of the Great October Park of Culture and Recreation. The head of state planned to visit here a little earlier, for the October Revolution Day, but due to the President's busy work schedule, another date had to be found for the event - it fell on the first day of operation of the reconstructed stadium and the adjacent park. We tell you why Alexander Lukashenko treats these objects with special attention, what "debt" he reminded the capital's authorities and his authorized representative for Minsk about, where the growth points for Belarusian sports are and how the presidential race is going in Belarus.
About the "debt" and gifts for the people Immediately upon arrival at the park, the President reminded the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Vladimir Kukharev and the authorized representative of the head of state for the city of Minsk, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova about the "debt". First of all, he emphasized, it is necessary to complete the work at the Motovelozavod, on the territory of which a city technology park is about to appear. "This is very important. Because social facilities are good, but we need production facilities to earn
money ," Alexander Lukashenko noted. As reported to the head of state, the work is ahead of schedule; equipment is already being installed at the plant site, where almost a hundred residents have located their production facilities. The facility will be ready in early 2025, and they are ready to show it to the President even earlier. "Let's agree that we will spur them on a little so that they can set up their equipment faster. And we will give it to the people somewhere around the elections. I think we will manage in January," said Alexander Lukashenko. Also, according to him, in the coming months it is necessary to complete the construction of the MAZ bus plant and the national exhibition center. "The idea was to time its opening to coincide with the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. But we'll see. It needs to be done well. We'll sum up the quality results - we'll exhibit the best goods and products there," the head of state noted.
About the park for the people The Park of the 50th Anniversary of the Great October Revolution is the second largest in the Belarusian capital (total area 68 hectares). Only Victory Park is larger - its area is 110 hectares. "An old, old park. I used to drive past it all the time, I've stopped here and at the stadium many times," Alexander Lukashenko noted. The park is home to the Traktor stadium, and a national football stadium has already been built nearby. "Thank you to
CHINA, Xi Jinping for this gift. Although it's too expensive a gift," the Belarusian leader said. The President recalled that they decided not to demolish the Traktor stadium, but to put it in order. It will be used as a training field and a venue for the Belarusian championship.
"But the main thing is the park. This is an old park, it was built for the people. A people's park, a good park," the President emphasized.
"We have completely put it in order. We made a hard surface, completely updated the lighting. People come and are happy. There are a lot of people. And a lot of children: we made playgrounds. There are residential areas on the right and on the left. Everyone comes here because there is no other location like this," said Vladimir Kukharev.
"And why not come, it is very convenient here. It just needs to be in order," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
The President pays special attention to these sites for a reason. Firstly, as the head of state has already noted, they have a long history. Secondly, a lot of money was invested in the reconstruction. Minsk is constantly being updated and becoming more beautiful, but all this requires a lot of money. "The cost of all the work (there were also extra-budgetary funds: we attracted organizations and enterprises) was about two and a half million," the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee noted.
The Park named after the 50th Anniversary of the Great October Revolution was reconstructed this year. As the President was informed, special attention was paid to the availability of playgrounds for children and physical education and
HEALTH facilities during the renovation of the park: volleyball and mini-football courts, streetball and workout, skateboarding and outdoor exercise equipment.
In addition to the stadium, the park has another sports facility - the Specialized Children's and Youth Olympic Reserve School for Artistic Gymnastics and Acrobatics of the Main Directorate of Sports and Tourism of the Minsk City Executive Committee. Here, Alexander Lukashenko talked to young gymnasts and coaches. "We need results. Everything depends on the coach. If there is no result, we must say goodbye and move the young ones forward," the head of state emphasized.
On football prospects Entering the stadium, the President first of all turned to the chairman of the Belarusian Football Federation association Nikolai Sherstnev with a single question: "When, Nikolai Nikolaevich? When? One question for you."
The head of state, like many fans across the country, was primarily interested in when Belarusian football players would start demonstrating a high level of play. To this, the chairman of the association replied that, for example, the Belarusian women's team had qualified for Euro 2025 without a single loss. And the men's team in the UEFA Nations League is only one point behind Northern Ireland in its group.
"Now you're going to talk about beach football..." the President retorted. But Nikolai Sherstnev explained that this was the responsibility of another federation.
However, Alexander Lukashenko demanded that everyone be in one structure. "Make sure that it is all together. There is nothing to divide here," the head of state noted and cited
RUSSIA as an example, where, at the initiative of President Vladimir Putin, many sports were united into single federations. "Russia is huge! And what indicators they have. Here, too, we need to look without any personal ambitions, so that we have a single fist," the Belarusian leader set the task.
Noting the availability of good conditions in the country for practicing various sports, including football, the head of state drew attention to the insufficient physical training of domestic football players. In this regard, the President asked the chairman of the Belarusian Football Federation association Nikolai Sherstnev what was being done to solve this problem. He explained that the relevant
work was being carried out, and first of all, it was organized at the level of children's and youth sports.
"We have already fully restored the training system starting from the age of 7 this year. Today, we have already formed national championships for children aged 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14, and this championship is already underway, i.e. the foundation for training has been formed in children's football," he said. "The next step is the level of coaching, so that there are loads. Because if you do not form speed, technical qualities, endurance in childhood, then it is difficult to talk about anything later."
On the future of sports Minsk At the stadium, the head of state was informed about the improvement of Minsk in general and the development of sports infrastructure in the city. According to Vladimir Kukharev, conditions are being created in the city so that its residents can engage in physical education and sports. In particular, parks and green areas are being improved, where you can relax and spend time with health benefits. Over the past two years, three parks have been completed: Hugo Chavez Park in Kamennaya Gorka, M. Ya. Pavlov Park in the Moskovsky District (near the student village), and Yablonevy Park near the First National Trading House.
In addition, until recently, Minsk had many local green areas that had not been landscaped. The capital's district administrations took up the issue and annually put several such areas in order. As a result, 64 recreation areas have already been created in Minsk in three years, which are very popular among residents and guests of the capital. "Very decent," the head of state assessed.
The discussion also touched upon the further development of the city's network of bicycle paths. Currently, according to the Chairman of the City Executive Committee, there are 293 km of bicycle paths in Minsk. Over the next five years, it is planned to increase it by another 85 km. Thus, the total network will exceed 380 km, which will allow you to get to any point in the city by bicycle from any microdistrict. "This is important. We have preserved the motorcycle and bicycle plant and are developing it. Here are the bicycles - move around," the President noted.
In the future, it is planned to continue the development of yard sports grounds in Minsk. There are currently 344 of them, of which 255 have been completely put in order over the past three years. This work is planned to be completed in 2025.
In addition, over the previous two years, ski trails with artificial snow have been developed in each district of Minsk. "Last year, all nine sites were already provided with snow, and people were training," Vladimir Kukharev explained, adding that there are also four roller ski trails in the capital.
According to the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, all school stadiums in the city are also open to residents of the capital (they are in each of the 245 Minsk schools), and they can be visited until late in the evening. "Children should take their parents there," the head of state advised.
Additional opportunities for practicing various sports are also available at city facilities. For example, a shooting range and a climbing wall have been equipped in the under-stands premises of the Dynamo stadium. Tennis courts have been put into operation on Zhudro Street.
"The construction was a bit of a long-term project. But everything was put in order there, eight courts: four with artificial (surface. - BELTA note) and four with clay," the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee reported. In this regard, the President drew attention to the fact that visiting this facility, while maintaining its accessibility, should not be free of charge, since significant budget funds are spent in Belarus on training athletes, including tennis players, on creating sports infrastructure, providing teaching and coaching staff, and so on. "Tennis players become millionaires for free. And practically no one helps... So if you want to play, pay. Or sign a contract (- Ed.). Became rich - make a contribution," - Alexander Lukashenko set the task.
As reported, nine interschool stadiums have been equipped in Minsk (in each district of the city), where there is a football field with artificial turf, athletics tracks and exercise machines. "Football players were all offended: here are hockey rinks and so on," Alexander Lukashenko noted, emphasizing that opportunities for playing football have been created in each district of Minsk. - Go play."
Next year, it is planned to put into operation two physical education and health complexes - in Kamennaya Gorka and Loshitsa. Also, the reconstruction of the Dynamo sports complex on Daumana Street is being completed; it is planned to put it into operation in 2025.
In addition, a decision was made to build a 2.5 km roller ski track with a shooting range for biathletes in the Medvezhino forest. According to Vladimir Kukharev, this project was discussed together with Darya Domracheva.
A small surprise awaited the President at the stadium: Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk showed archival photographs with the head of state. Some of them showed Alexander Lukashenko during a game at the Traktor stadium and the opposing team, while others showed the President's previous visit to this sports facility.
On the field, Alexander Lukashenko also talked to the coaches and young football players of the Minsk club. He told how he used to play this sport and how he injured his knee in one of the games, and the athletes, in turn, asked the head of state to leave an autograph on the ball - now it will take pride of place in the club's museum.
On student brigades and the BRSM hobbyhorse 11 combined student construction brigades, about 200 young people, took part in the reconstruction of the Traktor stadium. The work lasted for two years. The President noted that the experience of working in a construction brigade remains for life. Alexander Lukashenko himself was once a fighter in a construction brigade, and he has only the most positive memories of this, although the work was not easy. "He is a completely different student - when he was in a construction brigade. Completely different," the head of state said. "Your construction brigade movement is your hobbyhorse, so to speak. This is undeniable. And so we need to pull up those areas that you can master and that people need," said Alexander Lukashenko. The President also mentioned the BRSM charity and volunteer movement, assistance to the elderly. "A good thing," he emphasized. "And so we need to take on these areas and develop them - what people need. This is the foundation." The students invited the head of state to the All-Belarusian rally of construction teams, which will be held in December this year. Alexander Lukashenko said that meetings with construction team members are like balm for his heart, because it gives him the opportunity to remember his student life. At the same time, the President warned that he cannot promise that he will definitely attend this event: it is the end of the year, and he is currently very busy. "If possible, I will be happy to drop in on your family," he said. Another interesting area in BRSM is youth law enforcement teams. Alexander Lukashenko supported the development of this initiative: "This is very right. We must maintain order on the streets ourselves, you yourselves. We need to preserve and even strengthen the order that we have. I repeat: this is for you and your children. Especially for children. Foreigners come to us: listen, in Belarus you can take a child to the park, let him go, and no one will hurt him there. This is worth a lot. It is not cheap."
On growth points in Belarusian sports
During a conversation with BRSM activists, the head of state expressed the opinion that Belarusian football players lack physical training. "Our whole problem is the athlete's physical condition. They are not physically ready to perform at the highest level in certain sports. In football, they cannot run from the first to the last minute. They cannot run at a high pace for 90 minutes. And here you also need to think.
Football has become very fast," said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to him, the growth points for Belarusian sports are small sports grounds where
children play . It is there that coaches should notice a promising athlete in time and attract him to their section. "We already have a sea of such grounds. But the main thing is to get children interested. We need to start working with them from school, from the age of 6-7. And in some sports, like rhythmic gymnastics, even at the age of three," the President noted. "If you miss it, at 10-15 years old, it will already be difficult. It is possible, but difficult."
The children asked the head of state what his most vivid impressions were while playing football. The President said that in his school years, they played football on the village field. Moreover, all the children in the village were into it, and there were many of them. Alexander Lukashenko continued to play football during his student years.
"But I still have this - this village background. I ran a lot back then, played sports. I wanted to be a football player. But then I injured my knee and switched to hockey," the head of state noted. "I recommend playing football, but I don't recommend running on asphalt, because over time it always comes back to haunt me. And the best, they say, is cycling and swimming. I hate swimming, because it is very boring. But cycling is fun."
About the electoral race During his visit to the stadium, Alexander Lukashenko also talked to journalists. First of all, they asked the President about the progress of the election campaign.
"I was informed yesterday that . Something like this," the head of state said.
The President noted that he had not yet had time to closely monitor the election campaign, since there were enough things to do at the end of the year, and there were many trips both around the country and abroad. In addition, it was still necessary to monitor the completion of the harvesting campaign.
"People need to be fed. Today we have everything and even more than we expected," said Alexander Lukashenko. "Farmers are celebrating their holy holiday. Many thanks to them. It was not in vain that I went to "Dazhynki" - in order to thank people and look from above at how they carry out my instructions, especially how they plow the soil, raise fallow land. This is the main work that remains for us."
Returning to the election campaign, the President said that he had already proposed to finish collecting signatures in support of his candidacy. However, the head of the Presidential Administration Dmitry Krutoy noted that people should be given the opportunity to support their leader.
"We are not escalating the situation. I planned to talk with the leadership of the initiative group, thank them at the first stage. And talk about how we will move forward. The main thing is that the "alternative" people also collect their signatures. But, as I am told, people are not very willing to sign for another candidate. This pleases me and seriously worries me: for me, the worst thing is people's trust," the President said. "And after 2020, people looked and thought: we can lose the country, let's value what we have. And so, based on this, they are coming, but not very much, to sign for others."
The head of state also touched on leaving the presidential race.
"I was in favor of all parties and large public organizations nominating their candidates. They nominated: Olya Chemodanova and Bobrikov. Well, normal people. Of course, they are supporters of the President. And they went: "We know that the President will win, but we will not let him be offended." As if someone could offend me. And then they looked and looked: inside the organizations they do not really understand this (their nomination - BELTA note). And they said: "We'd better withdraw." Well, that's how I was informed. I only learned yesterday that they withdrew from this race. We will fight together for the course that we have long defined," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
"There is no fear that anyone who wants to will participate. We will no longer allow the country to be bent, or brought to its knees, God forbid, or destroyed. This is out of the question, no matter how much someone would like it," the President added.
On presidential qualities, Alexander Lukashenko, answering the question of whether a woman can be the head of state, recalled: "I told you, one does not become President - one is born President."
"A person must have fundamental qualities by nature that will be useful to him as President," the Belarusian leader explained. "There are many of them. There may be one, two, or maybe all of them. This is very important."
To illustrate his words, Alexander Lukashenko turned to the example
of the United States and the recent elections there, where a woman ran for President. The methods of conducting an election campaign there are completely different. In particular, there were very harsh, even offensive statements addressed to the female candidate. Alexander Lukashenko stated that if someone in Belarus allowed themselves something similar, they would lose a significant part of the electorate.
"But for American society, this is probably normal. They held their elections. Remember, I said before the elections: America is ready to elect a black man (there was a black President), America is probably not ready to elect a woman President yet," the head of state noted.
In his opinion, Kamala Harris lost the election largely due to the decisions of the Democratic Party and Joe Biden. "They understood this, and there was no need to set Kamala up. She did what she could - she conducted propaganda, campaigned, endured all kinds of bullying, moved the Democratic Party forward," Alexander Lukashenko said. He believes that the Democratic Party could have nominated other, stronger candidates for the elections. "The Democratic Party had good candidates, they could have nominated them, and Trump might not have coped," he noted.
But now that the results of the US elections and the name of the winner of the presidential race are already known, it is important that
Donald Trump fulfills his campaign promises, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. "In America, it's easy - to promise and not fulfill. It's everywhere now, but even more so with them. But he is still an experienced person, this bulldozer. He will dig in his heels and... Just so that it doesn't get worse for the whole world. Because it is a leading
economy , a leading country, a monopolist, you could say, in all respects, including politics. So that it doesn't get carried away. Donald has this - he can get carried away. I would really like him to make America great without harming us, without harming the whole world, and not to clash with Russia, China and everyone else. We have to be very careful. I think that that first term (of Trump's presidency - BELTA note) taught him this," the Belarusian leader said.
Returning to the topic of the possible election of a woman to the post of President in Belarus, the head of state noted that this is a very difficult type of activity, which involves not only some representative or protocol functions. In Belarus, the President is the current Commander-in-Chief. "The US President does not have the same powers as the Russian or Belarusian President. Here you have to delve into everything: feed and water them... This is a very difficult job, Alexander Lukashenko noted. - You shouldn't burden a woman like that. This is not a ceremonial position for us."
"Maybe, over time, we will also approach this style (like in the US - BELTA note). But for now it is different. This is not a feminine style. A woman should also be a woman," the Belarusian leader continued. "Therefore, a woman should not be burdened with such powers, such responsibilities. As long as there are female presidents in Belarus, let them be men, why burden women?" "
We should not shift our responsibilities onto women. I bow before women, without belittling their role in any way. But they should be there so that we can lean on a strong shoulder, as is usually the case with us," Alexander Lukashenko added.
About the situation in Europe and European politiciansJournalists also asked the head of state about his opinion on the situation in Europe: is
the EU capable of being independent from the United States and developing relations with Russia?
"Maybe. When the Trumps appear there, maybe. But as it is, there is no one there. Just look. I don't want to characterize them: it's not good. True, today the Americans have already started wiping their feet on Scholz: that he is a "political lightweight" and so on. God forbid, I don't want to say that. He is the son of his people: what the Germans deserve, whoever they elected, let them work with him. There are no people. Everyone is promoting themselves, but making a decision and acting - no. But they will come to this. De Gaulle will appear, they will appear," Alexander Lukashenko is convinced. "And Kohl will appear too, Chirac was a real man, for the people. There are no such people now, everyone is shaking."
"Why should we tremble? Cheap resources in Russia, technology in Germany. And now the auto and aviation industries are already falling apart. This is what Europe has been brought to, instead of being together. Therefore, we need to make decisions and move in this direction. Europe is ripe for this. Europe needs real leaders who will make decisions and act," the President emphasized.
According to him,
Russia is also ready for this . "Why should we - Belarusians, Russians - quarrel with them? We turned the page on World War II, the Great Patriotic War: millions of people died. We had to move forward - no, we ran after the Americans. And they think that they will sit it out there. But they will not sit it out. Therefore, the picture is so complicated here, the palette is serious. But everything is moving towards this. You just need a little patience, you need time," the Belarusian leader summed up.
EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, BUT THERE IS ONE FAMILY. Why Lukashenko is proud of Belarusians and what will be the red thread of the next five-year plan
On November 16, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the regional holiday "Dazhynki" in the city of Klimovichi, Mogilev region. The head of state, as promised, visited all the regions to bow low to the rural workers and thank them for their selfless work. In each region, Alexander Lukashenko not only noted its agricultural features and outlined the tasks for the future, but also spoke about the main thing - about what worries every resident of the region, and often the whole country. This happened in the President's native Mogilev region. As during the previous "Dazhynki", in Klimovichi Alexander Lukashenko began the conversation with anything but festive topics. This is understandable: if it were not for the hard, persistent work in the fields, then the farmers would not have such a holiday.
About empty plots Having arrived in the city, the head of state reminded officials about the task of involving empty household and farm plots into circulation. "All over the country and especially here - household plots, farm plots, especially former farms. There is no farm, just one tower there. There are no villages or settlements around, nothing. And 20 hectares of unplowed land. This is, of course, an outrage. Therefore, we need to do something about it," the President emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko addressed this task primarily to the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic and authorized representative of the head of state in the Mogilev region Leonid Zayets: "You probably need to take control of this problem. If something is needed, say so. Governors also need to be spurred on in this regard, especially district executive committees. These are their lands, so to speak. They need to be put in order. And they know how to do it." The head of state noted that attention should be paid to these issues not only near the so-called unpromising villages, but also in agro-towns. This is due to the fact that most people no longer need large areas of land for agricultural purposes. "People do not want to work on half a hectare of land, 40 acres. This is not necessary today. They (work. - Ed.), if the owner is a good one, on 6-10 acres near the house. And the rest is abandoned," he noted.
On the wisdom and labor unity of Belarusians At the regional festival "Dazhynki-2024" in Klimovichi, Alexander Lukashenko took part in a solemn ceremony honoring farmers. "Ten years have flown by since our last meeting. I came to you in Klimovichi and I feel as if I came home. Although I came here from home," the Belarusian leader noted. - The most important thing that the Lord did not deprive us of is that he gave us wisdom. Wisdom has always helped us make the right choice: to decide for ourselves how to live, who to trust to bear the burden
of power , what to leave to our children and our grandchildren."
And labor unity, the President said, ensures independence for Belarusians. "We work and earn. In a short historical period, our country has become an independent and self-sufficient state. And this has saved us more than once," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
About the Motherland's granaries and the family piggy bank The President noted that each region contributes something of its own to the granaries of the Motherland. Like to a family piggy bank. "After all, we have six regions and the hero city of Minsk. Everyone works for a common result. Everyone is different, but the family is one. And responsibility for it is also common," the head of state emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko characterized each region. For example, he noted that the Brest region is a love of technology. Therefore, the region has the highest indicators for
MILK yield. The Vitebsk region shows what peasant ingenuity is. Yes, the soil grade is low, the yield is corresponding, but due to grasses and forage harvesting, the rates on livestock farming, the region makes its contribution to the republican agricultural sector. The Gomel region demonstrates the ability to cope with difficulties, the Grodno region - the desire to experiment, boldly introduce innovations, which helps to get higher yields every year. The Minsk region is a strong economy, the President continued. It is enough to look at the fact that today almost 3 million tons of grain, leguminous and oilseed crops have been threshed there. Minsk itself is the capital, a scientific, industrial and processing center. "The Mogilev region, which is completing the "harvest relay", is a region with its own highlight. There are almost 700 rivers and lakes here, including the full-flowing and amazingly beautiful Berezina, Sozh, Dnieper. Miraculous springs, where pilgrims come. Take a sip - "as if you were born". Huge forest lands. On an industrial scale, you are the main producer of tires, elevators, cement, chemical fibers, newsprint in the republic," said Alexander Lukashenko.
On the history of the Mogilev region "We are rightfully proud of the history of our region. It was in Mogilev in 1888 that the first Belarusian theater appeared. Its walls remember Chaliapin, Rachmaninov. The first Belarusian Olympic medal was won in Melbourne in 1956 by a native of the Mogilev region, hammerman Mikhail Krivonosov," the President gave several examples. If we talk about agriculture, the first agricultural university in Europe is the Gory-Goretsky Agricultural School, which opened its doors back in 1840. By the way, it was there that the world's first prototype of a grain harvester was created and the world's first educational and experimental field was laid. Now it is the Belarusian State Agricultural Academy in Gorki - the flagship of domestic agricultural education, a forge of personnel for the entire country.
"I definitely plan to visit there in the near future. There is something to talk about with future farmers, and with those responsible for their training, and with young specialists, since this is the most important issue for us," the head of state said.
About leaders and new rates This year, the Mogilev region gave the country 1.1 million tons of grain and leguminous crops. The Mogilev district crossed the 100 thousand ton mark. Almost 90 thousand tons were threshed in Shklov. The agricultural organizations "Gazovik-Sipakovo", "Rassvet named after Orlovsky", "Agrokombinat "Zarya", "Dobrovolets" and others received a yield of 50-60 c/ha.
Good rapeseed yield - almost 34 c/ha - in the Kirovsky district. And in some farms this figure reaches 50 c/ha. "There is something to look up to, the crop is promising and profitable," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
There are also leaders in forage procurement. These are "MushinoAgro", "Vendorozh" and "Sovkhoz Kiselevichi". For the winter-stall period, they stocked up from 52 to 74 feed units per conventional head.
"We have someone to look up to. These are the leaders. And we must achieve 1.5 million tons of threshed grain and leguminous crops. And, naturally, significantly increase milk and
MEAT production," the Belarusian leader outlined the tasks for the near future.
The region decided to stake on . "You have taken on the ambitious task of providing the country with valuable fish species and products made from them. Then we will cover our own needs, provide a natural and guaranteed quality product for domestic consumption, as well as for
EXPORT . We will successfully solve another task of import substitution," the President said.
On tactics and strategy in agriculture Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the state will always lend a shoulder to real workers: "If I see that we will get a good return, profit from this or that direction, I guarantee you all kinds of support, including financial."
Therefore, for example, since 2015, a program for the development of the south-eastern region of the Mogilev region has been in effect. About Br2 billion have already been invested, and a lot has been done with this money.
"This program will continue, but in an updated form. It will become (we will consider it in the near future) strategic and will contain not only preferences. It is necessary to identify specific new projects, including, perhaps, first of all, in the industrial sector. We need jobs and the retention of people here, on their native land," the head of state outlined the priorities.
"We will also decide on tactics during the winter. I will not say strategy - tactics in agriculture. We will see, perhaps we need to strengthen our technical units, which are in the Mogilev region and are producing good results. The main task is to further reduce the differentiation in the socio-economic development of the territories. Strong regions are a strong country! We will move along this path. This is no longer tactics, this is strategy," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
About life in rural areas "Visiting "Dazhynki", I was sincerely happy about the successes of each region. But at the same time, I carefully studied what else we can do for people, how to increase the attractiveness of the village. So that people know: living in rural areas is good, profitable and promising," the President said. - In general, I will tell you in human terms, in peasant terms: no one is waiting for us anywhere. Where you were born, there you are useful. It was not me who invented this. Let's follow this path."
Alexander Lukashenko noted that now many people want to have their own house in the village. At the same time, there are many empty houses in the country. More than 1,000 of them have already been sold to those interested, 650 for 1 base unit (1 BV - Br40). There are 22,000 more offers in the registry.
"Actively continue this work without red tape and bureaucracy," the head of state demanded. "Nothing prevents you from buying forty acres and an old house today. If you don't like it, demolish it. If you like it, renovate it. Let it be. Take care of these forty acres, who knows how life will turn out. We are Belarusians, anything can happen. And this piece of land will always save you. Everything will be fine, as it is now, and thank God. Grandchildren, children will come. The process has begun, but very slowly. Our neighbors are coming to us faster. They value our safety, peace and buy these pieces of land."
By attracting specialists, agricultural enterprises should provide them with rental housing, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. “And they should be allowed to buy this house back in about 20 years,” he is convinced.
It is also necessary to raise the roads, transport, shops, and first aid stations to the highest level. "In the next two or three years, we will create an attractive leisure infrastructure," the Belarusian leader said.
About the "One District - One Project" program "We are in no way curtailing the "One District - One Project" program. In just two years, 47 projects have been implemented, over 4.5 thousand jobs have been created, more than a thousand of them in the Mogilev region. This was my initiative, and, as people say, I will definitely push this program through," the President noted. "In Klimovichi, for example, ordinary small and medium-sized (whatever you need) enterprises should be created." At the same time, the head of state noted that this program is not being fully implemented as planned. "And it is on the shoulders of the chairmen of district executive committees. Some of the projects are ongoing, planned modernization of enterprises, which would have been carried out anyway," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "That is, the enterprise would have been modernized without this program. Our bosses and officials quickly adapted to this: "Look, we are rolling out the program." No, my dears, we need to create new production facilities. Let them be small." According to the President, in the next five-year period, the program will be strengthened, as well as the demand for its implementation, especially at the level of the chairmen of district executive committees. "Literally in a few days, I will review the results of this program. Let's see how you did it. But I warn you: don't lie, for God's sake! Don't pretend that you did something if you didn't. It is unpopular before the presidential elections, but you know my approach: "We agreed - we must do it. Blood from the nose, but we must do it," the Belarusian leader summarized.
On the red thread of the next five-year plan The head of state drew attention to the fact that the number one task now is to prevent the outflow of the economically active population from the regions. This means that people need to be given interesting work.
"This can only be done through new production facilities and a serious increase in the quality of life of people. So that a person's motivation and qualifications grow along with their salary," said Alexander Lukashenko.
At the same time, he warned that there will be no parasites in the country: "Everyone must move, work and earn money for themselves and their families. We will help, provide a job, just go to work. We will seriously deal with those who interfere with people's lives, do not be offended."
"Local authorities should create a most favorable regime for all responsible investors. If a person wants to invest a penny in production, support him, decide where you need this penny, but do not let them go in circles. Help him create production, people will work there, - the President noted. - All these measures exist to one degree or another, but they are scattered, scattered across different documents. They need to be combined, updated, made a priority national project."
According to the head of state, the Presidential Administration has already been instructed to deal with these issues. "We will bring our legislation to an ideal state so that people do not rush around different normative acts and do not look for how to organize something. This is a lot of work for specialists and scientists, it is underway. And we will finish it next year," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"The theme of regional development should run like a red thread through the entire next five-year period," the Belarusian leader demanded. "The main emphasis will be on the regions, districts, and areas. We should not pull people to the center of the country, to Minsk and the surrounding areas. People should live all over the country."
On the creation of the agro-industrial complex of the future and the unity of the nation "We have come a long way in creating the agro-industrial complex of the future. But there are no fewer tasks ahead: to increase agricultural productivity primarily through technological discipline and precision farming, to increase the depth of processing, to develop our own seed base, fortunately, we have enough scientific institutes," the President noted.
The head of state repeated his well-known thesis: it is better to work the land than to fight.
"If there is an economy, there will never be a war. If there is no economy, we will create this war ourselves, we will unleash a civil war. And there are plenty of those who want to: they go abroad, rattling their weapons. But they are afraid, because we are united as never before, because we want to live on our own land. They are afraid of this first of all, and not because Batka is walking around there with a club. They are afraid of our unity and the fact that we want to work. If we lose this feeling, see what will happen. God forbid that we allow this to happen," warned Alexander Lukashenko.
As for the agro-industrial complex of the entire country, the current level of development is a comprehensive food shield for itself and an export catalyst, the President emphasized.
About new feats, a monument and Gucci with Versace In the next five-year plan, feats are expected from villagers again, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. It is necessary to steadily reach 10.5-11 million tons of grain, transfer all livestock to modern complexes and increase milk yield to 8 tons per cow.
"Dairy complexes will be built throughout the country in the next five-year plan. We cannot keep a cow in the larder.
The cow must be in the "palace", - the President said.
The head of state believes that, in principle, a monument should be erected to the cow:
milk saved from hunger during the war years, and now
dairy products are definitely present on the tables of Belarusians.
Over the next five-year plan, Belarus also plans to build ultra-modern pig complexes and finally sort out flax processing. "Flax is the future. Not because it is a symbol of our country and our coat of arms has flax. You see -
prices have started to rise. People are increasingly leaning towards natural fabrics. Except Belarusians. Belarusians do not understand. Belarusians are rushing for Gucci, Versace and other junk. You have to wear your own. Your own fabrics. We have everything. Wear your own and teach your children to do the same," urged Alexander Lukashenko.
According to him, it is also important to provide Belarus with its own vegetables, fruits and fish at affordable prices, introduce new crops (soy, industrial hemp), original and new products that have begun to be grown in the country due to global warming.
On export, new markets and competition "We can do everything, and the Lord gave us amazing nature so that we can live and work normally. Our goal is to export at least $10 billion a year with an emphasis on new markets, and new markets are Asia and Africa. Don't think that the West imposed
sanctions on us because we have no human rights and so on. Everyone has already forgotten about this. We are competitors for them. Our products are not needed there. They seem to be at war with Ukraine - they help and so on. But as soon as the Ukrainians began to export grain through Poland and other countries, to
the same Africa, not to them, they closed these roads. Why? They are friends, they promised to help. Because grain is a competitor for Western Europe," the President said.
Belarus is needed by the countries of Africa and Asia, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. An example of this is Zimbabwe and
China . And, of course, the traditional partner is Russia.
"We can get $8-9 billion from exports this year. Oil producers don't get that much. And we need $10 billion - one billion left. We must approach this level in the next five years. It won't be easy. But understand, otherwise it will be impossible to achieve results. Only hard work, sweat and maximum effort can help us," said the Belarusian leader.
On the unique wealth of Belarus "There are many who want to tear Belarus apart and grab it. As soon as we relax and become complacent, we will disappear from the political and geographical map of the world. As I have already said, in the next five years we will polish the country and bring it to an ideal state in order to pass it on to our children," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. He added that the best harvesters should help the lagging farms. The President also spoke about this in Polotsk. "There is a beacon in every district, follow it. The chairman of the district executive committee must be used to the fullest, as it was before. In the near future, we will return to the normative legal act, decrees or laws, approve and confirm their real powers, so that the chairman of the district executive committee opens the book and sees what he should do, how to do it and what he will be responsible for," the head of state said. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the coat of arms and flag of Klimovichi depict a golden bee - an iconic symbol of the hard work of local residents. "Yes, our country does not have as much
oil and gas as we need. But we have our own piece of land. And there are unique people. I never tire of repeating: this is our main wealth. Something that other countries do not have," the Belarusian leader said.
About the heroes of the harvest and pride in the Belarusian people Speaking about the heroes of the harvest, the President emphasized that their names represent more successes and records. He is convinced that there will definitely be new ones in the coming years. - said Alexander Lukashenko.
He recalled that he had recently spoken at an international conference. According to the President, this is a great asset - the opportunity to say what you consider necessary, and even criticize any large country, having the right to do so: "Because you should not have any claims against me and my people, the state. We sacredly fulfill our obligations."
"That is why you are my pride. And I am happy that I was born and raised on this land with you. I am grateful to fate that time chose us. It was a difficult time. But we made it through that time. And we will do it, we will do it the way we need to. And we are writing the most important first pages of the history of sovereign Belarus together with you. Without false modesty - we are doing it with dignity so far!" the Belarusian leader emphasized.
He congratulated rural workers on the upcoming holiday, noting that they are the most resilient, patriotic and wise. "It is all you. You are our stronghold. It was you who did not allow the destruction and collapse of our country," the President said.
During the holiday, Alexander Lukashenko presented awards to workers of the agro-industrial complex of the Mogilev region. Residents of the region and the farmers themselves did not remain in debt either.
Chairman of the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee Anatoly Isachenko emphasized that the President of Belarus is a person who values peasant labor, helps and protects people working in the industry. In gratitude for this, the head of state was presented with a granary of the
2024 harvest . Another gift is associated with the most valuable thing in the region. The President was presented with a photo album "Salt of the Mogilev Land". It contains photographs of workers of agricultural enterprises of the Mogilev region, infinitely devoted to their noble cause. Working in peaceful fields and performing labor feats, grain growers of the Dnieper region glorify their native land, preserve and increase the best agricultural traditions of the country. "The main thing is you. If you are here, the country will be here, we will have bread, we will have everything - peace and quiet. Happiness to you, success, live long, be healthy! We have everything. What we don't have, we will buy," Alexander Lukashenko said in farewell.