Belarus and Russia can become almost fully independent of imports within five years, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting with Governor of Russia's Sakhalin Oblast Valery Limarenko in Minsk on 28 October, BelTA has learned. "We need to be independent in all areas. We need to make sure that we are not dependent on imports. Others must come here, to Russia and Belarus, and ask us to produce certain goods for them," the president stressed. The parties have already...

At a solemn gathering to mark the 30th anniversary of the President's Security Service on 25 October Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he is doing everything he can to prevent situations when Belarusians will have to take up arms, BelTA has learned. “We are living through difficult times. I am doing everything to ensure that we will not have to take up arms and shoot. Only for training purposes. But if things get tough, you should know that we will take the lead. You...

Belarus enjoys a number of benefits from participating in events on the BRICS platform. First of all, it is possible to talk to a large number of leaders of various countries during one occasion. It would take several years to do the same through bilateral contacts. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with the Chinese TV channel CGTN on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, BelTA has learned. Aleksandr Lukashenko stated:...

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will travel to Russia’s Kazan on 23 October to attend the BRICS summit, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader. Aleksandr Lukashenko is set to take part in the plenary session of the 16th BRICS Summit in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format. The leaders of the countries are expected to discuss current international issues, strengthening interaction within the BRICS format as one of the foundations of multilateralism, increasing the...

Andrei Dapkiunas has been appointed non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Slovakia. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed the corresponding decree No. 398 on 21 October, BelTA learned from the press service of the head of state. Since September 2020, Andrei Dapkiunas has held the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Austria with concurrent accreditation to Slovenia, Permanent Representative of Belarus to international...

High-speed railroad lines should be built to connect Minsk with its satellite cities, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said on 21 October as he heard out a report on the development of the network of national highways and transport infrastructure to ensure an hour’s accessibility to the satellite cities, BelTA has learned. “Today I would like to discuss an important matter related to the condition of our highways. One of the main issues is decongestion which major goal is to...