The flower- and wreath-laying ceremony at the Mound of Glory took place without Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who returned from a business trip only during the night. A year ago, he personally took part in the ceremony together with his sons.
A wreath on his behalf was laid at the Mound of Glory. Senior Belarusian officials also laid flowers. State Secretary of the Security Council Aliaksandr Valfovich addressed those gathered. It should be noted that yesterday’s ceremonial meeting marking Independence Day featured a speech by Prime Minister Aliaksandr Turchyn.
“First of all, allow me to fulfil the instruction of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aliaksandr Ryhoravich Lukashenka, who today is addressing strategic tasks for the prosperity of our country, and congratulate everyone present and the entire Belarusian people on Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus,” Valfovich said.
He described the Mound of Glory as a symbol of liberation from fascism and recalled the main milestones of World War II on the territory of Belarus.
“When speaking about the past and the present, we inevitably think about the future. And the future of Belarus is our youth. The young people I see today at the Mound of Glory are carrying forward the baton of remembrance passed on to us by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers,” he continued.
The Security Council state secretary also mentioned participants in the “Memory Train” project and more than 100,000 young Belarusians taking part in patriotic, volunteer and civic initiatives.
Valfovich stressed that Belarus today is a country actively engaged in the international agenda. Its position is represented at the SCO and CIS, as well as in dialogue with partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
“The visit of our head of state, which has just concluded, to the countries of Southeast Asia is clear confirmation of this.
Belarusian universities admit hundreds of foreign students every year, who return home and tell the truth about our country. We are consistently expanding cooperation with states that share our values of respect for sovereignty and constructive dialogue. Belarus approaches its partners as an equal political actor with genuine expertise in industry, agriculture, education and healthcare.
The world of the future is one in which every nation has the right to its own path. Belarus consistently advocates precisely this kind of architecture. Without diktat, without double standards, and based on respect and mutual benefit. The true strength of the 21st century is not the ability to inflict harm, but the ability to reach agreements, prevent conflicts and build trust where it has almost disappeared.
This is the kind of international system we want to see. This is the image of Belarus that we uphold before the international community. An open country, a peaceful country, a country that has something to say to the world,” he said.
The Security Council state secretary also referred to the difficult situation surrounding Belarus but said the country remained under the control of the security bloc.
“The international situation is extremely tense. You see what is happening along our borders. Despite this, we are in control of the situation. The country is under the reliable protection of the security bloc.
At the same time, independence requires unity and shared responsibility for the fate of our state. Belarusians paid for today’s well-being with the lives of an entire generation.
We must preserve what we have today. Cherish peace. It is fragile. Cherish the family. It is the foundation. Cherish the country. It is ours. As the head of state says, there is no other and there never will be. We determine our own future. We are the heirs of the victors, and we must be worthy of that title,” he concluded.
