The work schedule of the Belarus president is always full of events. Aleksandr Lukashenko holds conferences and working meetings on the most topical matters concerning the country's development, regularly visits the regions, goes on foreign trips and welcomes foreign guests, talks to reporters, signs decrees and laws. And even if there are no public events, it does not mean that the head of state does not work. It must be said that even when he relaxes, for instance, by playing ice hockey or chopping firewood, Aleksandr Lukashenko happens to find the time to give yet another instruction. All the decisions must be prompted by life, he likes to say.

The President's Week project is intended for those, who want to keep up with the head of state, be up-to-date on the latest statements and decisions of the Belarusian leader.

What will help invigorate Belarusian-Russian trade and joint export? Where would Belarus like to set up a foothold in Siberia? What guarantees solid relations between countries? Is the withdrawal of Western companies regrettable? What did the intelligence service warn about?

Details of Aleksandr Lukashenko's participation in a CIS summit in Bishkek. Why now is the right time for consolidation in the Commonwealth of Independent States? Who did the president urge not to bury heads in the sand? What does he perceive as the common greatest treasure? These and other matters are covered by the new episode of BelTA's special project President's Week.

COOPERATION CATALYST. What tools will the group of companies of the Russian Export Center utilize in Belarus?

The head of state began his work week by meeting with Director General of the Russian Export Center Veronika Nikishina on Monday, 9 October. The meeting was quite significant because Belarus and Russia have been working hard on import substitution and the promotion of manufacturing cooperation for the last few years. It means that more and more goods are made within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. Their promotion not only on the home market but in third countries is a key task in view of the sanctions-fuelled pressure of the West. Naturally, support for realizing promising investment projects and the development of bilateral trade is also important.

“You have been recently watching the situation in mutual relations between Belarus and Russia. Your powerful group of companies is at the crossroads of all these relations. It has certain reserves and resources, both administrative and financial ones in terms of supporting the relations between Belarus and Russia. This is why it was very important for me to meet with you and discuss things. You have experience in this regard,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

The president mentioned Veronika Nikishina's work in her previous post at the Eurasian Economic Commission where she was a member of the Board (minister) for trade: “We had a brief meeting once. I remember it very well. It was during the elections to the Eurasian commission. A lot of time has passed since then. You work in the new position now,” he said.

In turn, Veronika Nikishina was thankful for the opportunity to meet with the president. “I represent the group of companies of the Russian Export Center. These are four organizations united into one holding company. Two organizations provide financial support, the other two - non-financial support. Given the strategic importance of trade and economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and Belarus, Belarus is a key country for us where we implement our entire arsenal of financial and non-financial measures in the interests of Russian and Belarusian companies. All our efforts are meant to benefit our economies,” she said.

While talking to reporters later on, Veronika Nikishina said that the sides discussed the ways to maximize the potential and tools to create favorable conditions for the work of Russian and Belarusian companies. “In general, our cooperation and our tools are concentrated in three areas,” she said.

The first is direct support for Russian non-resource non-energy exports to Belarus by means of cheapening, reducing costs, and finding partners. Over the 10 years of cooperation in this direction, more than $9 billion worth of Russian exports have been delivered to Belarus with the help of such support measures.

The second area came up on the center's radar last year when the mandate was expanded to support imports. “This is the provision of assistance to Belarusian companies that are ready to offer spare parts and equipment for Russian enterprises that are now being created to replace imports and to export products in the future. We have already carried out several such transactions to support Belarusian priority imports for Russia. But we are only at the beginning of the journey. Now we have discussed the new projects in which we will expand our capabilities,” Veronika Nikishina said.

The third area is the participation in large and important investment projects, which are carried out with the help of preferential financing. “We are glad that a number of landmark projects such as the modernization of Grodno Azot have already been implemented in Belarus with our financial support. We are currently discussing 17 new investment projects, which are interesting from the point of view of manufacturing cooperation between our countries. We can be useful here as well from the point of view of using all our resources,” the director general of the Russian Export Center added.

Apart from that, during the meeting the parties also discussed a number of other opportunities to boost cooperation - from sharing experience and best practices to coordinated actions to support joint exports abroad. “We can already boast projects where our insurance agencies carried out joint transactions to support Belarusian exports in third markets or jointly produced exports. We are ready to share all expanding services of the Russian Export Center with our Belarusian colleagues. This is also one of the areas of cooperation we have discussed today,” Veronika Nikishina said.

SPECIAL REGION. Where will Belarus' mainstay in Siberia be located?

Russian affairs were high on the agenda of the president's job schedule on 10 October, too. Aleksandr Lukashenko met with a delegation of Russia's Novosibirsk Oblast led by Governor Andrei Travnikov in the Palace of Independence.

“Siberia is a special region for Belarusians because many Belarusians have lived there since the days of Catherine the Great, since Stolypin's reforms. Hearts and minds of our compatriots became welded to this land. They glorified it and made it more prosperous and beautiful. That's why we are interested in everything going on in your region,” the president said at the beginning of the meeting.

The head of state expressed confidence that the visit of the Novosibirsk Oblast governor to Belarus will open up a new chapter in relations between the Belarusian and Russian regions. “When you get to know our country better, you will see that cooperation opportunities are enormous,” said the Belarusian leader.

The need to step up and balance trade

The president drew attention to the existing preconditions for further growth: “Last year our trade approached half a billion dollars. The figure looks impressive, but we need to figure out why we are noticeably behind last year's figures now. When asked to answer the question, our specialists tell me that the decline has been caused primarily by reduction of your deliveries of such goods as rapeseed, electric motors, coal, and other goods. I suggest we should work together on balancing our trade. There are plenty of directions and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Cooperation with Novosibirsk is now based primarily on deliveries of agricultural machines and mining vehicles, the president stated.

“But we know that we have a much wider area of activity in this regard. We can help you solve problems with the renewal of the passenger transport fleet and other vehicles,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. He mentioned the modernization of trams using facilities created by Belarusian Belkommunmash in Novosibirsk Oblast as a good example of such manufacturing cooperation.

And since Novosibirsk is essentially the administrative center of Siberia, the Belarusian leader believes that the project can and should be scaled up taking into account needs of other regions.

This is why the president instructed the government to make sure that Belarus was represented by a high-level official in the joint body that is engaged in the development of trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Novosibirsk Oblast.

Food products and agricultural raw materials traditionally make up a significant part of Belarus' export to the Russian region. “I am sure that by cooperating in the agro-industrial sector – from civil engineering projects in rural areas to biotechnologies – we will be able to accomplish much more than we are doing now,” the president said. “The same is true about science and education.”

Scientists of Belarus and the Russian region have always maintained close ties. There is interaction, plans and projects, but, according to the president, the parties need to accelerate and fill them with concrete content. More active actions are required, including from Belarus. “For example, we can join our efforts in promising, very important new areas, which are artificial intelligence and unmanned aircraft systems, taking into account the tasks of import substitution and technological sovereignty with a view to advanced development,” the head of state said.

“We have every opportunity to considerably increase trade and strengthen ties in science and education, humanitarian and other areas,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Novosibirsk's special role in Belarusian plans

According to the head of state, Belarus has now set a course to structure its opportunities in Russia. “Today the demand for Belarus is big, but we are not so big. Therefore, we need to decide where to set up the centers, through which we will are going to work with the Russian Federation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

One of such centers will be located, for instance, in Novosibirsk considering the geographical position and the importance of this region. “Without Novosibirsk Russia loses half the country. At least the country beyond the Ural Mountains. Therefore, our interests here should be concentrated not only on the Novosibirsk area but the entire Siberian region. Our government will make the corresponding decision in the near future and we will start developing a center of competences and a center of trade in Novosibirsk to work in a most serious manner across the huge space of the Russian Federation. I know you support the idea,” the president added.

Economic foundation of Belarusian-Russian unity

The head of state underlined that it is economic cooperation that can be considered the guarantee of solid mutual relations between Belarus and Russia: “The unity of the two states relies, first of all, on economy. This is how we see it from Belarus. If we maintain the current momentum in economy, if our relations with Russia in general are as good as with many of its regions, including yours, believe me, in this case no promotional activities will be needed,” the head of state emphasized.

The two countries have everything in place to build on positive momentum, the Belarusian leader remarked. During many years of cooperation, they have already realized and analyzed their mistakes and faults, and are now moving forward together in the right direction.

“In the first days of the sanctions, I reiterated in Russia and at large forums that we would get out of this situation and it would not take much time to do it,” the president noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko proved to be right after 1.5-2 years. Thus, it is necessary to go on with the efforts to intensify cooperation, rectify the mistakes made at the initial stage.

SOLID INTEL. What information gathered by special services did Lukashenko reveal?

During the meeting with Novosibirsk Oblast Governor Andrei Travnikov the president talked not only about cooperation between individual regions but also sketched out the global challenges facing Belarus and Russia.

“Thank God that we have preserved our unity. But I should say that we will not be able to live a calm life,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The president said that in their latest reports the special services and intelligence warn about the West's plans to drive a wedge between Belarus and Russia.

“Quotes from officials from over there: ‘There will be no peace.' They are already thinking about how to create a rift between Belarus and Russia (though they are still bogged down in Ukraine). Everyone in the West, even those countries that, it would seem, do not care about what is happening in Belarus and Russia, are concerned about our relations. They are using stick and carrot to get government officials to turn their back on the president. In a word they are using same old methods. All these statements are from September-October. Therefore, things will not be calm. Yet, we need to press toward our goals,” the head of state stressed.

Belarus and Russia are relying on friendly countries in this difficult situation. Though they have their own interests, too, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. “Therefore, let's make our fatherland better, defend it,” the Belarusian leader urged. “We have only this way, there is no other. We can achieve a lot. In five years we will forget what is happening now.”

“We will get back everything. Even what we've lost. Don't you doubt it,” the president said.

GOOD RIDDANCE! Why is the withdrawal of foreign companies from the market acceptable? Why reach out to Africa?

“Throughout my entire presidency, I have persistently been telling Russia that we need to develop our own capacities. There is no need to spend dollars earned by selling oil and gas on foodstuffs or nuts and bolts. We knew how to make them on our own,” the head of state said.

Speaking about the foreign companies, which have decided to stop operating on the Belarusian market and the Russian one due to sanctions, Aleksandr Lukashenko briefly said: “Good riddance.”

The head of state emphasized that Russia and Belarus should avoid overlapping of production when deepening cooperation. “I'm glad that Russia has finally seen what Belarus is capable of. In fact, there is hardly any large or medium-sized enterprise in our country that has shut down. Most of them are state-owned (maybe Russians don't like this), they are doing well, they are manageable at least. And today we are developing large-scale manufacturing cooperation [with the Russian side]. We just cannot allow overlapping of production (we have no extra money). Our products will always find a buyer on the Russian market. Likewise, we will always buy your products if we need them. Thus, overlapping should not be allowed,” the president emphasized.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that Belarus is now very actively developing relations with faraway countries, including the African continent. In this regard, he suggested to the head of the Russian region to advance to the markets of these countries together.

“The demand for us is huge there. We discussed the matter in detail at the latest meeting with the president of Russia. As our specialists say, the Soviet Union once created a huge foundation for the current cooperation of the post-Soviet countries – Belarus and Russia in the first place – on the African continent. They trust us more than anyone else. We should take advantage of this. Promoting our interests, we should support the development of African and Asian countries that have been waiting for us there for a long time. We need to work together there,” the president stressed.

CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. What matters need to be addressed in the Commonwealth of Independent States?

On 13 October Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Belarusian head of state landed in Kyrgyzstan's capital the previous evening.

The event took place in the congress hall of the state residence Ala Archa. The session of the CIS Heads of State Council traditionally took place in a narrow format and then with larger delegations. The summit lasted a total of about 5 hours. The heads of state talked a lot not only in the official format but also on the sidelines.

Aleksandr Lukashenko presented Belarus' stance and proposals on the most topical matters of cooperation within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The need for consolidation in the CIS

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I'd like to begin my speech with the basics. Let me remind you that the key purpose of creating the Commonwealth was to prevent the disruption of ties after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Our competitors in the West were and are not happy about that. The West keeps attempting to shake us loose, to weaken us, and subjugate us. Georgia was the first country to withdraw from our association. Ukraine is de facto no longer with us. There are big problems with Moldova. Regretfully, Armenia doesn't always act in the spirit of partnership.”

The head of state underlined that it is impossible to calmly watch what is happening from the sidelines: “Otherwise, we will be simply torn apart. And ordinary people, the peoples of our countries will be the first ones to suffer. This is why we, the heads of state have to abide by the will of our voters. And we have to at least accomplish and address the tasks we've promised to accomplish. As a matter of principle, now is the time to take a more critical look at the situation in our Commonwealth. We shouldn't bury our heads in the sand. After all, we see that all the chronic conflicts that we were saddled with back in the day inevitably produce very sad consequences. Thank god, a trend towards the resolution of these conflicts has emerged and some of the conflicts have been successfully resolved.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also remarked that the current generation of politicians, who were born and raised in the Soviet Union, should be the ones to address the existing tasks: “We have knowledge and experience. It is unlikely that today's young people will be up to the task. Most of them already don't understand many values and advantages, which united us and still unite us for now.”

“If we accomplish that, those, who believe the local issues can be resolved somewhere else, by someone from across the ocean, will rejoin us. But people over there have trouble finding our countries on the map,” the Belarusian leader noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that time has come for a serious consolidation within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States and there are plenty of examples of successful work. This is confirmed, among other things, by the packed agenda of the summit, which includes, for example, a number of important joint statements. “They confirm that the countries have common approaches to such topical issues as freedom of religion, the inadmissibility of language discrimination, the harmonization of state administration systems in digital technologies,” the head of state said.

Multipolarity and call for a fairer world order

The president emphasized the importance of adopting a statement on interstate relations in a multipolar world: “In general, it reflects our common vision of the world order, with the exception of the paragraph proposing to express concern over the politicization of international courts. But even this mild wording was not supported by everyone. Why do we need these international courts? Especially in our relations. Moreover, we understand, especially now, why they are doing this.”

“Apparently, someone hasn't been affected by this yet. Someday you will want to help children, give them a piece of childhood, shelter them from bombings and shelling, and you will be put on the international wanted list for this,” the Belarusian leader said.

He stressed that in the context of the rapidly changing situation the demand for a more just world order, for the associations that are looking for ways to advance cooperation, peaceful coexistence, legal guarantees of development and elimination of discrimination on the basis of religion or income level is greater than ever. “Our Commonwealth is just one of such associations,” the head of state is convinced. “Why don't we all appreciate it? We have accumulated vast experience in constructive work, which is of interest outside the CIS. Other integration associations have their eyes on it. But for many it's like an eyesore.”

The Russian language that cannot be lost

In his speech Aleksandr Lukashenko described the initiative of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for establishing an international organization for promoting the Russian language as timely and in demand.

“You know, all of us speak Russian today, this is why we don't feel this colossal problem so acutely. But look at the young people in our republics. Many speak Russian worse than they speak English and other languages. [Mastery of the Russian language] is our greatest treasure. If we let things slide, we may end up having to hire an interpreter in order to communicate,” the Belarusian leader stated. “We cannot lose the language of interethnic communication as they call it. And after all, I don't understand why we should lose it. Does it harm us, our generation? It doesn't. It should not harm the generation of our kids either. It is our treasure.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that he has always said that the Russian language is not Russia's language: “It is our common language. We lived as one country for a long time. Proceeding from the concept that the language is a live thing that develops in creative ways, we also developed this Russian language together. There is a bit of Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks, and so on in this language. This is why why are we losing the Russian language?”

The president remarked that he is rejoiced by the trend in ex-Soviet Central Asia countries, including Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, where new schools and universities open and use Russian as the language of instruction.

“But more needs to be done. This is why this initiative concerning the Russian language is as important as some economic initiative. The situation with the Russian language is a disaster in [countries of] the former Warsaw Pact. Unlike them we don't want our young people to communicate with each other via an interpreter or only in English as I've already said,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Expansion of the CIS' influence zone, cooperation in SCO and BRICS

Speaking about expanding the CIS zone of influence, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Representatives of various international organizations participate in many meetings of the Commonwealth bodies, and today's adoption of documents on the observer and partner status in the CIS will pave the way for legal regulation of such relations.”

“Belarus has always supported the alignment of activities of international integration associations that have similar goals and objectives. The basic condition is providing mutual support and not creating obstacles. I believe that the Commonwealth member states may be interested in considering other cooperation formats in such important areas as e-commerce, digital technologies, access to public procurement, reduction of roaming tariffs and many other areas,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

He is confident that partners are interested in cooperation within the framework of the SCO and BRICS, implementation of high-tech projects, development of new logistics routes to deliver goods to the far arc countries, including the active promotion of the North-South corridor, close coordination of efforts to ensure food security for the most vulnerable countries. It is necessary to promote such areas of activity without fear of falling under secondary sanctions of the West.

Aleksandr Lukashenko highlighted the new trend associated with the development of such large international organizations as the SCO and BRICS. “There is no doubt that these are organizations of the future. But you see some backpedaling there. Indeed, the level of integration is higher when it comes to the EAEU and the CIS,” the head of state noted. “What if we were part of the SCO and BRICS as a single organization, would that weaken our positions? No. And I am sure that Russia needs to be more active there, without looking at what the Americans or the West do and want. Russia should be a linchpin member of our association - the CIS. We must strive to act as a single organization in BRICS and the SCO. We have a more advanced integration in politics, economy, and so on.”

The situation in the world and the Middle East

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I should say that the situation is changing catastrophically fast. Shavkat Miromonovich [Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan President] and I talked about it for about an hour [before the beginning of the summit]. It is changing by a lot. More and more new challenges are emerging. Take a look at the Middle East. They no longer shake up us. They shake up the entire world. I hope to god it will stop before World War Three begins.”

The head of state remarked that in response to economic pressure Belarus and its allies, primarily Russia, have consolidated forces for the sake of sustainable economic development. Macroeconomic and financial stability has been preserved. Transition to a growth trajectory has been achieved.

“And then Russia has shaken itself and has become way more self-dependent in many areas of economic development. If we put a stop to these Western horrors shoulder to shoulder together with the Commonwealth, our common results would be much higher,” the Belarusian leader is convinced. “If you recall, when we were part of the Soviet Union, everyone was afraid of us. They feared and respected us. Regretfully, the world respects only strength. And together with China, Iran, Brazil, and Global South now, we will not fear Western sanctions. They will reckon with our opinion if we stand together. And our opinion in international affairs will be the decisive one.”

The value of the CIS format

“Thanks to our common commitment, we have consistently developed multifaceted cooperation despite new unprecedented challenges. By and large, it was thanks to them that we shook things up, took a fresh look at the situation, and found solutions that were on the surface. Today's results speak for themselves,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the partners have done a lot for the future: “While the West is investing in the war, or, to put it more simply, squandering their taxpayers' money, we are increasing long-term investments in high-tech industries such as microelectronics, aircraft construction, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, information and communication solutions. Many problems can only be solved together. If we are not together, then it will be just talk and no action.”

“Only we ourselves can guarantee our sustainable and safe development. To do this, we need to be self-sufficient in strategically important industries. We have the resources, potential and competencies for this. We need political will and understanding of the importance of the CIS,” the Belarusian president stressed.

The head of state urged to preserve the unique formats of unity in the CIS at all costs, to prevent an internal split and joining the ranks of sanctions ideologists. It is also essential to prevent provocations aimed at inciting ethnic and territorial disputes in the post-Soviet space.

“You already feel that Belarus and Russia have now a full grasp of the situation they are in. And especially we, Belarusians,” the head of state said. At the same time, he warned other CIS countries of difficult times ahead of them.

“On the one hand, we have the big brother who is trying to help us. Naturally, he has his own interests. On the other hand, we have the United States, the West, and you have already felt it. Don't forget that we belong here. At this table we have the heads of state, who can make our peoples happy if we address some issues that have remained unresolved for a long time,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Interregional cooperation

Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned with satisfaction that an agreement on trade in services and on making investments has been signed within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States this year.

“I am convinced that it is a timely and important document. Bearing in mind these documents and in continuation of previously adopted documents, I suggest stepping up the work on expanding interregional economic cooperation. Shavkat Miromonovich [Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan President] said it right today: if we don't stand in the way of regions but help them a bit instead, they will resolve many problems without us.”

“It is our unconditional potential that is in demand. We have the relevant experience,” the Belarusian leader said. “The initiative put forward by the Republic of Uzbekistan earlier in favor of holding a CIS forum of regions is relevant and needs to be implemented in practice as fast as possible. It should become a priority task. The CIS states have the necessary experience and accomplishments in the bilateral format.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that Russia will preside over the Commonwealth of Independent States during the next period and during this period heads of regions will be able to get together and start working. It will be a good event, he noted.

Results of the summit

A number of decisions were made and the relevant documents were signed as a result of the summit. It was decided that the Russian Federation will preside over the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2024.

A decision was made in favor of awarding a Badge of Honor of the Commonwealth of Independent States to Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in recognition of his contribution to the development of the CIS, the reinforcement of friendship, good neighborhood, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the CIS member states.

Participants of the summit discussed and passed a treaty on establishing an international organization for promoting the Russian language. Four statements were passed: on cooperation in digitizing the state administration; on international relations in a multipolar world; on protecting rights of people and citizens to the freedom of religion; on supporting and promoting the Russian language as a language of interethnic communication.

Other documents passed by the summit participants include an agreement on setting up an international center for evaluating the risks of legalization (laundering) of criminal revenues and terrorism financing, an agreement on setting up a coordinating center in the sphere of forensic examination activities, an interstate program on joint measures to fight crime in 2024-2028.

The heads of state instituted a medal For Contribution to Peace Building. The award will become the only interstate mark of distinction to reflect personal merits of citizens of the CIS states and representatives of other countries in building peace and maintaining international security.

The city of Samarkand has been declared the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States for the year 2024.

GROUNDWORK FOR THE FUTURE. What did the presidents of Belarus and Uzbekistan agree on?

A bilateral meeting of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took place before the CIS summit in Bishkek. The heads of state discussed the most important matters of Belarusian-Uzbek relations.

It was noted that trade is on the up, but its growth potential is much bigger. In this regard, governments should take the next step to build on positive momentum. It is important to expand and scale up economic cooperation. Uzbekistan is interested in Belarusian technologies in various sectors, primarily manufacturing.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev thrashed out cooperation plans and discussed preparations for the upcoming visit of the president of Belarus to Uzbekistan.

It was agreed to hold a meeting of the intergovernmental commission in the late November - early December. The commission is expected to break down the tasks and identify additional points of growth in bilateral cooperation.

Interregional contacts are also important. Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed drawing up a schedule for the 2024 regional agenda.

The presidents also touched upon youth policy and cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed in detail the international agenda - the situation in the world, hot spots, and developments in the region.

The two leaders described their meeting as an opportunity to lay a foundation for a more vibrant cooperation in the future.

KIND AND GENTLE HOLIDAY. What words did Lukashenko address mothers with?

Support and protection of family values, maternity, and childhood are a cornerstone of the government policy in Belarus. Bearing it in mind, one might notice that October has plenty of festive days: Mother's Day on 14 October and Father's Day on 21 October. An entire Parent Week full of various events takes place between the two holidays.

On Mother's Day Aleksandr Lukashenko offered his greetings to Belarusian women. The president said: “This kind and touching holiday embodies the spiritual strength and the sanctity of motherhood as an invaluable source of life and one of the highest qualities of femininity. We carry the image of the mother, which is dear to everyone, in our hearts throughout our lives. Most ordinary events of our lives resonate with boundless love in the mother's heart. With your wisdom and sincerity, you teach children to be independent, you teach them moral values and guidelines.”

“I sincerely thank each of you for your compassion, patience and care for your family and your home. I address words of deepest respect and gratitude to mothers of large and adoptive families and those raising children with special needs. Your care and engagement nurture kindness, hope for the best and self-confidence in them,” the president said.

“I wish all women good health and happiness, and peace and mutual understanding to every Belarusian family. Let the love and gratitude of children be the best reward for you,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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