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“Peace-loving” countries have failed to squeeze out the smartest people from Belarus and Russia, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 17 February, BelTA has learned. “I was pleasantly surprised by what the ambassador told me on the way here. According to him, your companies ordered more than $300 million worth of products from our IT specialists.

The Belarusian authorities want normal relations with the West, but on one condition – no interfering in Belarus' affairs, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he talked to foreign and Belarusian journalists in Minsk on 16 February, BelTA has learned. American journalists asked the president how he feels about the fact that the Belarusian government system is called a dictatorship, and he himself is called a dictator. “The fact that you in the West think that there is a dictatorship here is an advantage for me. Soon you will also want a dictatorship. You have it in fact, but in an unfair, twisted, stupid form. It has always been there… There is complete laxity in the West: there is neither dictatorship, nor democracy there. We in Belarus make decisions and address tasks. Indeed, I have to intervene or take most of the decisions. If you think it's a dictatorship, it is fine with me. I don't think it's a dictatorship. There's no dictatorship here,” the Belarusian president said.

Belarus has begun to supply its goods through Russian ports and will expand this format of cooperation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he spoke to foreign and Belarusian journalists in Minsk on 16 February, BelTA has learned. The head of state stressed that Belarus aims to develop economic cooperation with the Far East. «We will process fish in Belarus, as well as all the other riches that are there,» he said.

Lukashenko commented on the potential of promoting Belarusian developments in medicine citing the example of cooperation with Zimbabwe as he talked to Belarusian scientists in Minsk on 9 February, BelTA has learned. Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he discussed the possibilities of cooperation in healthcare with Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he paid the state visit to that country. Zimbabwe is struggling with high child and maternal mortality. Having good achievements and best practices in this sector, Belarus can provide its assistance.

Photos courtesy of Belarus' Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The actions by the Polish authorities could lead to a transport collapse on both sides of the border, BelTA learned from the State Border Committee of Belarus. Poland cited public safety as a reason for closing the Bobrowniki checkpoint. The Belarusian side believes that the pretext does not correspond to reality as there is no threat from the territory of Belarus.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoi spoke about the trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Russia in 2022 in an interview to STV channel, BelTA has learned. “2022 was a record year in trade with Russia. There were several basic tasks set by the president and the government. The main one was to redirect $6.5 billion worth of trade from the European and Ukrainian markets to Russia.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko called for greater unity in the Collective Security Treaty Organization as he met with Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Imangali Tasmagambetov on 13 February, BelTA has learned. “Challenges are many. We took the risk to compile the program of our presidency in the organization so that we could try to solve the problems that we have, especially on the borders of CSTO member states. I do not speak of your experience in vain. You have a great memory. You know well both the Caucasus and Central Asia. We have problems there. Let us try to resolve them and, as much as possible, bring the Collective Security Treaty Organization together in these difficult times. You see what is happening on the perimeter,” the Belarusian leader said. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that all members of the CSTO should unite and act together, because it is always easier and simpler to act this way. “If someone thinks that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is not our conflict, that we will sit quietly somewhere – nothing of the kind, it will not be like that. The time will come (it is not far away, literally tomorrow) and it will require us to define ourselves, to take a certain position. I am not saying that this should be done to the detriment of national interests. Despite all the shortcomings in the union we will have to clearly define our policy, our line in order to act together. It is always simpler and easier to act together,” the president said.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoi spoke about regional cooperation with the Russian Federation and cooperation in import substitution in an interview to STV Channel, BelTA has learned. When asked about regional cooperation, Dmitry Krutoi said that this was the most basic area and there were no limits to growth. “Last year was record-breaking in this regard, too: 208 mutual high-level visits. These were presidential meetings, trips of the prime minister, our officials — we have never had such a high intensity,” he said.

The total economic effect from the state visit of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Zimbabwe is estimated at roughly $200 million, BelTA learned from Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik. Sergei Aleinik said that contracts on shipping about 4,000 Belarusian tractors, agricultural machines, and other vehicles and machines to Zimbabwe were signed as a result of the visit. “We estimate the total economic effect of the visit at approximately $200 million,” the official said.

Aleksandr Sidoruk. An archive photo

Andrei Shved

Big Conversation with the President, 9 August 2021, Palace of Independence. An archive photo

I have signed a decree to set up a commission to work with citizens who wish to return to their homeland, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Belarus' Prosecutor General Andrei Shved to receive his report on 6 February, BelTA has learned. “Today I have signed a decree, prepared by a group of specialists headed by you, on the consideration of the applications from Belarusian citizens abroad regarding their possible violation of the law. This is exactly the issue we discussed the other day. I also looked at the composition [of the commission] and other things.

CNN, землетрясение магнитудой 7,8 произошло в турецкой провинции Газиантеп на глубине 24,1 км. Это одно из самых сильных землетрясений в регионе за последние 100 лет.Землетрясение ощущалось в нескольких странах региона, включая Сирию и Ливан.«Это апокалипсис, здания падали за секунду», — сообщают очевидцы.Damn, this looks like it comes from some apocalyptic movie...

Фото: Pixabay.com

The budget spending on the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone has already paid off, Head of the Great Stone Park Administration Aleksandr Yaroshenko told the STV channel, BelTA informs. “If we talk about total spending, it has not paid off, because more than $800 million was invested in this project. This is a lot of money.

The Belarus-Zimbabwe business forum opened in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, BelTA has learned. The event is taking place in the run-up to the state visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Zimbabwe. He is expected to arrive in the afternoon. Aleksandr Lukashenko is to be greeted by President Emmerson Mnangagwa personally.

Over the past 10 years the number of parents with many children in Belarus has doubled. Today there are 121,000 families in the country raising three or more children. Of course, this is not by chance. The government constantly invests in families. While last year more than Br2.5 billion was allocated to support them, this year the figure will be Br3.2 billion. But there are also concrete benefits and guarantees in addition to payments. About 7% of the GDP is spent annually to make Belarusian families feel more secure. In the new episode of BelTA's YouTube project After the Fact: Lukashenko's Decisions we will talk about how the state invests in families, why Belarusian women are having children later in life and how our country remains in the top of the most comfortable countries for mothers.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has approved the decisions on protection of the state border in 2023, BelTA has learned. At the start of the year the head of state traditionally approves the decision on state border protection. This year two decisions will be signed: on state border protection on the ground and in airspace.

A program to guide the development of Belarus' microelectronics industry has been worked out in Belarus, BelTA learned from Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov on 24 January. Vladimir Gusakov said: “We started by working out a concept for the development of the microelectronics industry in the country. We used the concept to develop a program. Even faster than Russia, which has yet to develop one.

The situation along the border, refugees and army support were discussed by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko at the event to approve the decisions on the protection of the state border in 2023, BelTA has learned. Taking part in the meeting were State Secretary of Belarus' Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, Chairman of the State Border Committee Anatoly Lappo, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces — First Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Gulevich. “Although today's event is traditional — at the beginning of every year we take decisions on border protection — yet, the year 2023 is not like any other year, as the situation around Belarus (the military and political situation, and the economic situation as well) is not easy. This is why our today's meeting is special.

The export of Belarusian products to Russia has increased by 1.4 times, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Parkhomchik said in an interview to the ONT TV channel, BelTA has learned. “Export to the Russian Federation went up by 1.4 times, which is a very good result for the Belarusian industry in general. For the first time in history, we have got a positive economic balance in relations with Russia,” said Piotr Parkhomchik.

The bill “On amending the laws on the activities of political parties and other public associations” passed two readings at the meeting of the ninth session of the House of Representatives of the seventh convocation on 25 January, BelTA has learned. The bill was submitted to the House of Representatives by the Council of Ministers. The bill is designed to improve legislation governing social and political relations, as well as to bring legislation into line with the amendments and additions adopted at the constitutional referendum.

Belarus has plans to expand the production of a new cancer vaccine, Deputy Director for Research at the Alexandrov National Cancer Center Sergei Krasny told a BelTA correspondent on the sidelines of the Intellectual Belarus exhibition. “Today we are presenting the Elenagen anti-cancer vaccine at the exhibition. This is a joint development of the Alexandrov National Cancer Center and an American company.

Enterprises affiliated with the Industry Ministry are planning to ramp up the production to Br27 billion in 2023, BelTA learned from the press service of the Industry Ministry of Belarus. In physical terms, enterprises are projected to produce, in particular, 54,000 tractors (of all modifications, including mini-tractos and walk-behind tractors), almost 1,000 dump trucks, 1,700 buses, 850,000 refrigerators/freezers.

Over 13,500 foreigners have visited Belarus as part of the visa-waiver travel program since 1 January 2023, BelTA learned from the State Border Committee of Belarus. Since 1 January, Belarus has weclomed 9,966 citizens of Lithuania, 1,822 citizens and 462 citizens of Latvia, and 1,329 Polish citizens.

Roman Golovchenko

There has not been and cannot be any talk of Russia or Belarus giving up their sovereignty, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting to discuss Belarus-Russia Union State integration programs on 12 January, BelTA has learned. “I warn you that there has been no talk of Russia or Belarus giving up their sovereignty, and there can't be such talk. There is simply no need [for that]. The existing format of cooperation with Russia has not been exhausted yet,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Belarus and Russia are laying a common foundation for technological independence, State Secretary of the Belarus-Russia Union State Dmitry Mezentsev told the ONT TV channel, BelTA informs. “The presidents have set the task to substitute imports in order to create a common foundation for technological independence. This is a good start, and we see that we are making good progress,” Dmitry Mezentsev said. He listed the main areas of cooperation within the framework of the Union State.

The Belarus-Russia tactical flight exercise of the joint military task force began on 16 January, BelTA learned from the Defense Ministry of Belarus. The air force drills are aimed at improving interoperability while conducting combat training missions. The plans include aerial reconnaissance, joint air policing along the state border, air support for the joint military task force, landing of tactical airborne troops, as well as cargo delivery and evacuation of the wounded.

Belarus and Pakistan have agreed to expand cooperation. The agreement is stipulated by the minutes of the sixth session of the Belarus-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation commission. The document was signed by Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich and Pakistani Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir, BelTA has learned. Viktor Karankevich said: “The minutes represent a roadmap for stepping up bilateral cooperation.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a law to amend the law on the citizenship of the Republic of Belarus on 5 January, the president's press service told BelTA. In particular, the amendments elaborate the category of people, who acquire Belarus' citizenship by birth.

Photo courtesy of Belarusian Railways

The buildup of the regional military force of Belarus and Russia continues for the sake of ensuring the military security of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Defense Ministry. The process is going on stage by stage depending on the evolving situation.

Belarusians support their Russian brothers but do not forget about Ukrainians either. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he visited a temple in the Saint Elisabeth Convent on 7 January, BelTA has learned. Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the Saint Elisabeth Convent had recently collected donations for Russian military personnel fighting on the frontlines and had been criticized by “bought-and-paid-for opposition” because of it.

In late 2017 Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed the Digital Economy Development Ordinance, thanks to which the Belarusian IT industry was granted unprecedented conditions for development and the Hi-Tech Park, which was established back in 2005, became famous all over the world. “Belarus is turning into a Silicon Valley.

In late 2017 Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed the Digital Economy Development Ordinance, thanks to which the Belarusian IT industry was granted unprecedented conditions for development and the Hi-Tech Park, which was established back in 2005, became famous all over the world. “Belarus is turning into a Silicon Valley. It is becoming a world center for software development.” This is what The Wall Street Journal and Forbes wrote about the country. “A paradise for programmers.” “Exceptional potential and a far-sighted economic policy,” this is how Eric Gundersen, the founder of the American startup Mapbox, and the former U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo evaluated capabilities of the republic. In the new episode of BelTA's YouTube project After the Fact: Lukashenko's Decisions we will tell you how Belarus became an IT country, will dispel myths about the Hi-Tech Park, and will try to find out what future awaits the Belarusian IT industry after all.

The realization of Union State programs of Belarus and Russia determines a brand new stage of economic integration of the two countries. State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Dmitry Mezentsev made the statement as he met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA has learned. At the start of the conversation Dmitry Mezentsev thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for the attention and support and he and the Russian leader give to the relevant Union State agenda.

There are plans to spend 45% of the state budget on the social sphere. Belarusian First Deputy Finance Minister Dmitry Kiyko made the statement on the air of the TV Belarusian channel STV, BelTA has learned. Dmitry Kiyko said: “The budget will retain social orientation this year. Expenses of social nature will amount to 45% or slightly more than Br27 billion, 17.6% up [from the previous year].” Attention will be paid primarily to the payment of salaries.

Programs of the Union State of Belarus and Russia must not be curtailed, it is necessary to increase their funding. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Dmitry Mezentsev, BelTA has learned. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “It is good that this year is beginning with this event. Sincerely speaking, we have to update the agenda of the Union State and begin by summarizing the accomplishments and sketching out future steps.

A law banning LGBT propaganda may appear in Belarus, Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Natalya Kochanova said at the meeting of the Council of Elders, BelTA has learned. “The Expert Council under the Council of the Republic is working quite intensively. Today in the first half of the day we discussed three bills that we need to adopt,” said Natalya Kochanova.

Photo: BELTA

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko heard out a report on the state of affairs in the civil engineering industry and wondered how the instruction to simplify the process of construction of various categories of buildings was being fulfilled, BelTA has learned. Starting the conversation about problems concerning the civil engineering industry, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed: “Nobody needs some chit chat about it. I am interested in the first matter: the simplification of the construction process. You and I had an agreement on it.

Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus Igor Kizim was summoned to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive a strong demarche in connection with the missile incident, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anatoly Glaz told reporters, BelTA has learned. “Today, Belarus' air defenses have shot down a Ukrainian S-300 missile over the territory of Belarus.

Screenshot from STV video

The Industry Ministry of Belarus has completed all internal procedures to prepare for the signing of an agreement between the governments of Belarus and the Russian Federation on a common industrial policy, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Industry Ministry. The draft agreement has been approved by the Belarusian government. The Industry Ministry has been authorized to negotiate the draft document.

The number of settlements where Russia and Belarus use national currencies in trade has exceeded 80%, Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Volvach said at a press conference on 26 December, BelTA has learned. According to Dmitry Volvach, Belarus and Russia are implementing 28 Union State programs that were approved by the Supreme State Council of the Union State in November 2021. When asked about the need for a single currency, he said: “We have not yet fully realized the potential that lies in the development and increase of mutual settlements in national currencies.