Lukashenko awarded Federation Council’s highest honour
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has been awarded the badge of honour – For Contribution to the Development of Parliamentarism – the highest departmental decoration of the Federation Council, BelTA reports
Concluding his speech at the Federation Council, the President of Belarus thanked the senators for developing inter-parliamentary co-operation with Belarus, especially between the upper chambers: the Federation Council of Russia’s Federal Assembly and the Council of the Republic of Belarus’ National Assembly.
Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed special words of gratitude to Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko.
Speaking about her personal willingness to support relations with Belarus, the Head of State mentioned a conversation he once had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Putin once told me: ‘You know you have the strongest ‘spy network’ here, headed by Valentina Ivanovna. As soon as someone speaks about Belarus [in a critical way], Valentina Ivanovna lashes out against them in defence of Belarus’,” the President said.
“On behalf of all the senators of the Russian Federation, let me thank you for the honour you have done us and for taking the time to visit the Federation Council, for your bright, brilliant speech, which was literally permeated with creativity, openness and true Belarusian-Russian fraternal friendship,” Valentina Matvienko addressed the Head of State. “The fact that we have achieved such large-scale results of mutually beneficial strategic partnership, the fact that we are moving so confidently towards the creation of the Union State – this is the key role and the key merit of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and your personal merit, dear and respected Aleksandr Grigorievich. You were the one who stood at the origins of the Union State.”
“When our two states are ruled by such strong, strong-willed, wise, far-sighted leaders, firmly defending national interests and true patriots of our Fatherland, we are not afraid of any external challenges and threats. Together we will overcome everything, because we are on the right side of history and the truth is behind us,” Ms. Matvienko added.
In a solemn atmosphere, to the applause of the audience, Valentina Matvienko has presented Aleksandr Lukashenko with the badge of honour – For Contribution to the Development of Parliamentarism – the highest departmental decoration of the Federation Council. The President of Belarus has been awarded for his great contribution to the creation of the Union State, strengthening friendship and co-operation between the peoples of Russia and Belarus.
The Belarusian leader thanked for the award and, addressing the audience, said, “Guys, do not back down, only go forward! A lot depends on you not only in Russia.”
After his speech in the Federation Council, Aleksandr Lukashenko together with Valentina Matvienko toured the exhibition on Russian-Belarusian parliamentary co-operation.
