Aleksandr Lukashenko on a peaceful future: we will preserve it

In the run-up to Independence Day and the 80th anniversary of the country’s liberation from the Nazi invaders, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko held an award ceremony for graduates and the staff of higher education institutions

Graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business Technologies at the Belarusian State University of Transport
Marina Voichenko was awarded the President’s Gratitude       belta 

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked, “You are a symbol of the future, the future of our native Belarus. Just yesterday you defended your theses and passed a serious state exam. The confident look in your eyes suggests that you are ready to rise up to all kinds of professional challenges. Behind you are many days of hard work, sleepless nights, and anxiety of your family and friends.”
“You have a difficult, but interesting life ahead. It is difficult because things are changing so fast. Therefore, when meeting with young people, I always say: do everything in time. Get an education in time, expand your knowledge, start families, give birth to children. This is the key to success for any person,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The President is convinced that the drive to prove oneself and to live up to expectations is the surest path to results. The Head of State noted, “I am not going to school you, you can listen to me or find your own path to success. I am absolutely sure that you set your life priorities right. That is why you are here, in the place that hosts no random people.”
“I see your potential,” Aleksandr Lukashenko continued. “After all, you have already achieved great success both in the academic field and in community work. I believe that new achievements are not long in coming. But I am sure that you have already passed the most difficult period.”
The President remarked, “I sincerely wish you to stay true to yourselves, no matter who you become, no matter what career heights you reach in the future.”
The Head of State went on saying, “Your time has come. If you look at it, times are never easy. This is how things work — you need to overcome hardships in order to learn to enjoy life.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also wished everyone to achieve their goals and fulfil their plans for the benefit of their Motherland.
The Head of State expressed gratitude to the teaching staff, “Thank you for your work. This is the most important work. You have come a very long way to become an educator. You have studied a lot, worked hard and continue to improve your competencies. In your profession you need to keep up with the times and lead the way for your students. There is no other way,” the President said. He wished the teachers strength, patience and pride for every student they put their hearts into.
Aleksandr Lukashenko highlighted the importance of the fact that the award ceremony is held in the run-up to the main state holiday — Independence Day, and the 80th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi invaders.

“Today’s ceremony of honouring the best graduates and the best teachers is our tribute to the memory of the generation of winners,” the Head of State said. “Every success is a token of gratitude to the heroes who fought and died for a peaceful future. We built it, and we must preserve it. We definitely will.”

The Head of State admitted that he is nervous whenever he meets with young people. “I always think about your attitude to our policies. There are different opinions, different perceptions, but my dream is that you assess and perceive what is happening now in the right way,” the Belarusian leader noted.
“Indeed, the basis of life is not destruction, but creation. And creation implies tapping into the experience and achievements of humankind,” the President emphasised. “Today we have talked a lot about Belarus and many things that we have done. Yet, our achievements pale in comparison with what has been done before us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked. “Yet, had we not stood on the shoulders of giants, as great people said, had we not built on what had been created before us, we would not have had this meeting today,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“Therefore, appreciate what was done before you. Make the most of it. Use it to improve not only your personal life, but also to build a better future for the country as a whole. Although the destiny of the state is the destiny of each of you personally,” President concluded.
Students and teachers were taken on a tour of the Palace of Independence ahead of the award ceremony.

BELTA

President of Belarus has made new appointments

• Aleksandr Lukashenko appointed Dmitry Krutoi Head of the Belarus President Administration; 
• Natalya Petkevich was appointed First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration;
• Aleksandr Lukashenko appointed Aleksandr Rogozhnik, who until now served as the Industry Minister, as Ambassador to the Russian Federation;
• Sergei Aleinik, who previously held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed a member of the Council of the Republic;
• First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Maksim Ryzhenkov was appointed head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that all the candidates are mainly young and promising people. “A new generation — this is what I have been talking about. A generational change is in progress. Young, promising, and professional people should rise to power, not only manage individual areas. There are no nonprofessionals at this table,” the Head of State stressed.
According to the President, over the course of several years the new generation of administrators will have to implement everything the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress discussed in April. “The country needs a good government and well-established connections between the President and the government via the Belarus President Administration. We need results and efficiency. I warn everyone — there must be no foot dragging or red tape. If an issue needs to be addressed and you see it can be addressed within a day or two, then get it done. May god have mercy on you if starting Monday I will continue getting reports about this foot dragging and red tape as before. I warn the Belarus President Administration specifically: ministers should run about and get things done. If the government machine fails to do something, give it a hint and make demands in no uncertain terms,” Aleksandr Lukashenko set the task. “Efficiency must be significantly increased if we want to survive this crazy fight. Each of you knows what is going on around us.”
The President explained why he had chosen Dmitry Krutoi as the new head of the Belarus President Administration. Dmitry Krutoi worked in the administration not so long ago. He has experience of working in the government and knows the matters concerning the Belarus President Administration and interaction with the government very well.
Speaking about Natalya Petkevich’s appointment, Aleksandr Lukashenko said, “There will be no applause [on the part of subordinates] considering your insistence on high standards and your principled approach. You have the necessary competence and are aware of all the processes.”

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by