Minsk - Every state must be prepared to deal with contemporary threats and challenges, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated.
“Alas, we have been witnessing brazen interference in internal affairs of sovereign states and attempts to instigate inter-ethnic discord and destabilization not only in the Middle East but also in fraternal Ukraine,” Lukashenko said in his speech at the Belarusian Independence Day parade in Minsk on Thursday, July 3.
“Public discord, a civil war and chaos in the country, multiple casualties and an economic downslide are far from being all problems our neighbors have encountered,” he continued.
“These tragic events demonstrate that practically all Europe, the entire world have reached a turning point of historical eras. Each state must be prepared to respond to any contemporary threat,” the Belarusian leader noted.
“International tensions are building up again and a military potential is being amassed near our borders. We are witnessing a decline in the efficiency of the global security system which took shape after the [Second World] War, new threats and a review and restructuring of post-war borders. There is a trend towards global instability,” the Belarusian president said.
“Hence, the most important area of operation of the national administration under the current circumstances is the strengthening and development of the armed forces and the entire military structure of the country,” he added.
“The defense system created in Belarus is ready to give reliable protection to the constitutional system, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation and to provide peace and tranquility of people,” Lukashenko said.
Belarus is a peace loving country which seeks to develop comprehensive cooperation with the post-Soviet states and a dialogue with the West and the East, he noted.
“Our priority is the development of relations with the strategic ally, Russia. Symbolically, servicemen of the two fraternal peoples are standing shoulder to shoulder in this parade,” Lukashenko stressed.
