‘Respect. Understanding. Consent’. Formula of peace in Belarus

Head of State Aleksandr Lukashenko met with representatives of Belarus’ religious denominations

“We are very lucky that, in its recent history, the Belarusian land has not experienced disagreements, persecution on religious, national or racial grounds. All faiths enjoy an atmosphere of mutual respect, peace and harmony in the country. This is surprising for many in our modern days, including for the so-called civilised countries. The coexistence of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other religions, the foundations of which do not contradict the deep values of the Belarusian society, has united and tempered the Belarusian nation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed those present at the meeting.

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According to the Head of State, a unique ethno-confessional model has developed in the country, and it may be an example for many. “Together, the authorities and representatives of all denominations, have developed a common formula: ‘respect — understanding — consent’. Our people are used to living this way, and they cannot even imagine life any other way — though the latter happens. With pain in our hearts, we see what the situation in Ukraine has resulted in, for example,” he said.
The Head of State proposed creating centres of attraction for each denomination in the country. 
Addressing the meeting participants, the President voiced a topic of concern: the Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Stavropol Monastery that has been undergoing a major reconstruction. “I would like it to be a wonderful centre of Orthodoxy. I have a proposal (if you make a decision): we should create appropriate centres for our existing religions," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
According to the Head of State, if Catholics, for example, choose the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Budslav or some other place as such a centre, then it should become accessible to all believers, and the state will lend its shoulder in turn. If Muslims and Jews find such a place, then the state will also help.

“There are many temples, but there must be a very important temple, a shrine, where people can come — not only from Belarus or neighbouring countries, but also from far abroad. Therefore, think about it and make suggestions. Together with the society and the people (I think they will support this idea, because it is an idea of unity), we will create such centres of attraction for our believers, no matter what denomination they belong to. You are equally dear to the state and to me, and I will do everything to ensure that you live in peace and harmony, as you do today," the Head of State noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko asked to convey his warm greetings to Pope Francis and expressed hope for a meeting with him in the future. “Dialogue and diversity build bridges — this is the idea of Francis [spiritual leader of Catholics and Head of State of Vatican City Pope Francis]. I have great respect for the Pope. Give him my very best wishes. This is a really tough man, a man who doesn’t just live and serve. He knows how to say what he thinks to people from all walks of life.” 
The Belarusian leader also added that his ideas and views do not diverge from those of the Pope and expressed hope to meet him, “I think the time will come and we will definitely meet the Pope. I would like him to represent all segments of the population, all countries, both the very rich that are trying to monopolise the world and the poorer states that do not play such a gigantic role in shaping the current humanity.”
 The President added that he has excellent relations with almost all Muslim countries. “It so happens in my Presidential life that I have more than excellent relations with almost all Muslim countries. I have always treated them with respect, and they accepted me in a normal way. Belarus is not a Muslim country, but we have a serious position of Muslims. Remember (this applies to all our confessions) that this is your land: Tatars, Bashkirs, and others who came to us. That is not where your land is. Your roots and soul may be there, but your land is here.”
The Head of State, Aleksandr Lukashenko, recalled his visit to Israel and how he was welcomed by locals there.
Aleksandr Lukashenko praised the social work of the United Church of Evangelical Christians in Belarus and revealed how he was imbued with Baptists’ kindness and Old Believers’ diligence. 

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Co-operation with European centre of Russian Federation

Belarus and Bashkortostan are simply obliged to increase their trade turnover in 2025 — as stated by President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko during his meeting with the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation, Radiy Khabirov

As noted by the President, the Russian guest is familiar with the possibilities of the Belarusian economy.

“We have a good relationship. We run a number of technological projects, but — to be honest — we slowed down a bit last year: around 5-6 percent in our turnover,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

According to statistics, in January-November 2024, the volume of mutual trade in goods amounted to $311.5m, and the Belarusian leader commented, “I believe this issue is not significant for us. We simply must increase our trade turnover this year and exceed $315-320m. You know our capabilities well. It is comfortable and very profitable for us to co-operate with you, because your republic is the European centre of the Russian Federation — most advanced and developed. Therefore, it is beneficial for us to co-operate with you and work together.”
The Head of State, in particular, drew attention to the successfully progressing project that deals with a joint assembly of tractors. “We are ready to continue working with you in the areas that we have, on the production of equipment — such as automobile vehicles, tractors, and so on — based on Belarusian technologies,” he stressed. “We produce trolleybuses together with you — these are MAZ [Minsk Automobile Plant] and Ufa Tram and Trolleybus Plant — and also sell these vehicles to neighbouring regions, doing this successfully. In 2020-2022, we annually produced 20-60 trolleybuses, but the number exceeded 300 in 2023-2024. This is a good pace, and we need to develop this area of co-operation.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also mentioned the restoration of trams with Belarusian bodies as a promising area of interaction.
“Moreover, we plan to open an Amkodor manufacturing centre in Ufa,” the Belarusian leader continued. “Vehicles will always be needed, especially in huge Russia — at the federal level and the road construction sphere which you deal with. We can fully meet the demand for this equipment and work together first on assembly and then on joint production.”
Food supplies are another promising area of co-operation. As the Head of State noted, agriculture is well developed in Bashkortostan, but Belarus is also ready to supply all necessary food products if needed. “This is very important, we are drawing up the balance with Russia now with regard to food supplies, and we will be happy to work with you,” he said.
The President added that Belarus is ready to sell light industry goods — such as fabrics, knitwear, clothing, shoes, carpets, and workwear — to the republic. “If you need not only our products, but our technologies that suit you, then we will be very glad to work,” he noted. 
Co-operation in the production of drones, including for the needs of the agro-industrial complex, also looks promising. “We have experience and certain developments, so I think we should progress in this direction, the market is good today,” the Head of State said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised that co-operation needs to be developed. He assured the partners of Belarus,

“Bashkortostan is a very important region of Russia for us, we would like to co-operate with it. Firstly, the region is very developed and advanced and secondly, it is the centre of the European territory of Russia. While working there, we can assert that we will work for neighbouring regions. I want to say that, if we come to an agreement on any issues, be sure: we will definitely fulfil our obligations. Our economy, society, and country are manageable.”

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by