Congratulatory messages have arrived from the leaders of CIS countries and the presidents of China, Cuba, Austria, Italy, Vietnam, Laos, India, the Republic of Korea, Greece, Afghanistan, Serbia, Singapore, the Swiss Confederation, Indonesia, Turkey and Bangladesh, as well as from the kings of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Sweden and Spain. Pope Francis and the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta also sent congratulations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s congratulatory message read: ‘It’s symbolic that this holiday is celebrated on the day of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis. Our centuries-old bonds of brotherly friendship and alliance have stood many tests and are now a pledge of the successful development of Russian-Belarusian co-operation. I’m sure that the realisation of agreements reached during the sitting of the Highest State Council of the Union State in March in St. Petersburg will promote the further advancement of our bilateral integration. I expect also to see constructive co-operation continue within the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space, aiming at forming the Eurasian Economic Union’.
Chinese President Xi Jinping noted in his congratulation that Belarus and China have been strengthening their political confidence in recent years, producing significant results in the spheres of trade and economic, financial, scientific and military-technical co-operation. Cultural exchange has been extended and close co-operation has been promoted internationally and regionally.
