Clear words from UN tribune addressed to world community

“If we don’t stop the bloodshed in Europe, this fratricidal slaughter and the escalation of conflict, the entire civilised world will become ‘hot’. Forgive me, but we’ll take another step towards a global conflict, and perhaps towards another world war -- this time, at the centre of the civilised and advanced world,” announced Mr. Lukashenko, as reported by the state BelTA News Agency. “Having entered a new millennium, do we not understand the fragility of this world and human civilisation?”

The Head of the Belarusian state emphasised his desire to see the ‘great’ understand a particular idea. “It’s obvious that, today, there is no power that can stop you. All of you, however, are religious and many even pray in public. The Lord sees everything and is truthful. What if He becomes angry and punishes the guilty? Your people will innocently suffer because of your ventures,” he urged.

He continued, “I think it is high time you stopped. We need to help people from poor countries acquire clothes, treatment and education. Feed the hungry and save children from death and you’ll be rewarded. The ‘great’ of this world decided to democratise Iraq under the pretence of presence of chemical weapons in the country. Where are these chemical weapons? Where is democracy in Iraq? Why did you kill the President of Iraq? Where is this country now and what future is there for the Iraqi people? Do people in this country have better lives now? No.”

The President of Belarus stressed, “You, guilty, would say it was a mistake and that it would be better to stop. But no, you have moved further. You began with Tunisia and ended up in Libya, playing the same scenario. You crucified President Gaddafi, destroying his state. Has it become better in Libya? No. Where is Libya today?”

“Gentlemen, maybe it was time to stop. No, you rushed to Syria. Why? Why are you killing people? Why are you throwing the President out of office? How does this concern you? Moreover, in destroying the country, you have been destroying the first traces of our (and your) civilisation,” stated Mr. Lukashenko. “From this very platform of the UN General Assembly, tell the world community what you want, what you are striving for.”

“Today we need responsible politicians who are able to act globally and strategically, being ready to make decisions in the interest of the entire international community, and who are ready to meet halfway for the public good,” the President of Belarus believes.

According to Mr. Lukashenko, in the modern world, many decisions are based on self-interest and short-term advantages. In his words, steps taken by some states within the international arena do not take into account reality: the individuality of other countries and societies.

“I’m convinced that this is behind hundreds of human victims in Iraq, Libya, Syria and other countries. It has generated a mass flow of refugees running from war. There would have been no Islamic State. There would have been no eruption of terrorism in Europe and civil war in Ukraine. The ‘would have been no’ list is long,” said Mr. Lukashenko. “It is vital to talk about this because people from these countries will not understand us talking about development while millions, even billions, of people seek only to survive until the morning!” he said.

“Only mutual understanding and responsibility, the recognition of our diversity, and the renewal of trust will help us unite and safeguard peace and security, finding effective responses to global challenges and threats,” Mr. Lukashenko added. He believes that such efforts would result in sustainable development of all states and would help enhance the role of the United Nations Organisation in global policy.

According to Mr. Lukashenko, the balance of power lost with the disintegration of the Soviet Union has never been restored. “There is no balance of power. There is no peace, no stability. There is systemic crisis. In any system, if only one ‘power’ exists, uncontrolled, it will seek only its own prosperity, addressing issues at the expense of others,” the President of Belarus believes.

“The policy of hegemonism and national egoism leads to the wide use of pressure, sanctions, restrictions and military moves. As a result, we lose trust in each other,” Mr. Lukashenko said. “It is clear that the rebalance of power is a long way off yet, before we have a multi-polar world. We can approach this goal if we act, rather than wait idly by.”

According to the President of Belarus, to achieve this, we need to conduct dialogue, agreeing and finding ways for constructive co-operation.

“History teaches us that any state that pursues its sole leadership without a backward glance at the interests of others is doomed to failure and self-destruction. Any advantage at the expense of someone else is short-lived and loss-prone. Conventional wisdom says that one cannot build happiness upon others’ unhappiness,” Mr. Lukashenko stated.


In memory of those who died during terrorist attacks on September 11th

On a working visit to the United States of America, the Head of the Belarusian state laid a wreath at the September 11 National Memorial & Museum, in New York, and upon the commemorative slab bearing the name of Irina Buslo of Belarus: one of the 9/11 victims.


The memorial was built in memory of 3,000 people who died in terrorist acts on September 11th, 2001, near buildings of the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and also six people died in terrorist act in World Trade Centre in February 1993. The memorial is located on the place of former buildings of World Trade Centre in a business part of Manhattan, near Wall Street.

Two water reservoirs of the memorial symbolise grief over victims and represent the largest man-made waterfalls in the North America. The pools are located in foundation ditches of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre. The names of all people died in 2001 and 1993 were carved on bronze panels of facing of the pools.


Constructive role deserves respect

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanks President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, for constructive support of the UN and the activities of Belarus in the organisation during the meeting on September 27th


Alexander Lukashenko and Ban Ki-moon discussed the situation in the south-east of Ukraine, stressing that victims among peaceful citizens are inadmissible.

The President of Belarus pointed out the importance of taking prompt resolute measures aimed at ending hostilities, especially in view of the possible escalation of the conflict in the entire Europe.

The UN Secretary General thanked Mr. Lukashenko for constructive role in the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and noted that Minsk had become a symbol of peace.

Alexander Lukashenko also signed the Distinguished Guests Book.


Balanced approach for new programme

Belarus’ co-operative prospects with International Monetary Fund (IMF), including possible new co-operation programme, discussed at a meeting between President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde


The Head of State expressed hope that the new programme will use a balanced approach to take into account the interests of the country and its policy, ensuring a high level of social security of its people.

During conversation the President thanked the IMF for a successful implementation of the Stand-by arrangement for 2009-2010 which softened the negative consequences of the external economic crisis.

The $2.46bn Stand-By arrangement was approved in January 2009 for the period of 15 months. Later the programme was extended to $3.52bn. In April 2010, the programme was successfully accomplished. In 2010-2014, Belarus was visited by the IMF post-programme monitoring missions. The loan was paid off in full in March 2015. Measures and events implemented under the programme helped the country secure a positive dynamics on a number of economic and monetary positions.


Expressing gratitude for supporting the initiative

Belarus is committed to true human rights and won’t ever allow their politicisation, notes President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on meeting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein


Mr. Lukashenko noted that Belarus has been closely co-operating with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The President assured that Belarus would stay committed to the true human rights. “However, I would like to be frank with you: we will not allow anybody to impose so-called human rights on us and politicise them. It’s absolutely unacceptable and I know your standpoint: you have never welcomed the politicisation of human rights,” stresses the Head of the Belarusian state.

Mr. Lukashenko thanked the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for the support of the Belarusian initiative of combating trafficking in people. “I’d like to assure you that we will stay committed to this policy. We will promote it worldwide and will make a good example for other states in combating trafficking in persons,” underlines the President.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights thanked the Belarusian leader for collaboration with the Office in a range of areas, including fight against human trafficking.


Belarus stands for prevention of armed conflicts and threats to human life

This was noted by Alexander Lukashenko as he spoke at the plenary session of 2015 UN Sustainable Development Summit

According to the Belarusian Head of State, sustainable development of any country is impossible without peace and security. “The Belarusian people learned this enduring truth from their life experience. Last century, Belarus was the place of the bloodiest battles of the two world wars,” reminded the President.

“Having lost one third of its population in the war against fascism, Belarus rose from the ashes, and now cherishes peace and concord in the society while striving to secure the well-being of its people and sustainable development of the state,” underlines Mr. Lukashenko. The President paid attention that during the years of sovereign existence Belarus has fulfilled with honour the millennium development goals related to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving 100 percent adult literacy, promoting gender equality, social-political stability, and preventing ethnic and religious discrimination.

“We have no maternal mortality while the child mortality is the lowest in the world. The democracy is about these things rather than the ideas that our Western teachers are trying to impose on us,” stresses Mr. Lukashenko.


Prospects for bilateral relations

Alexander Lukashenko meets President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, Raul Castro, on sidelines of UN assembly in New York


The leaders of the two countries have discussed the state and prospects of the Belarusian-Cuban relations across most important areas, placing a special emphasis on the trade-economic sector. The parties have noted the existing potential for further strengthening the bilateral comprehensive co-operation.

Alexander Lukashenko and Raul Castro have shared opinions on the most important issues of the current international agenda, confirming the course on mutual support on the international arena.

Cuba is Belarus’ important trading partner in Latin America. Belarusian main exports include industrial products while Cuba primarily buys Belarusian automotive engineering goods, eternal-combustion engines, spare parts, machine-tool equipment and mineral fertilisers.