Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I cordially welcome you at our festive New Year reception. Today's meeting is a very remarkable one. We are lucky to meet not only a recurrent New Year but also a new century and a new millenium of the Christian era.

The 20th century was difficult and contradictory.

Already now historians are facing an uneasy task of describing philosophical, socio-political, humanitarian contents of the century that recently entered the past.

The task of politicians, public persons, all the people of good will is to draw conclusions from the lessons of the past. We must rationally apply scientific, technological and intellectual potential for the benefit of our countries and peoples. We must remember of millions of people living in poverty and destitution. We should be gentler and more tolerant so that our small planet could become native home for all the peoples inhabiting it.

Belarus has been striving to make its own feasible contribution to this noble cause. We are in favour of close cooperation with all the countries of the world on the basis of equality and mutual advantage.

Our country consistently pursues the line towards integration with Russia. We intend to follow this policy in the future as well. It meets vital interests of the Belarusian and Russian peoples.

We attach greatest importance to regional cooperation. Belarus develops multilateral mutually advantageous relations with the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our country plays an appreciable role in the construction of the Euro-Asian Economic Community. We are interested in active involvement in the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC). We realize that only together can we really defend and advance our economic interests under the present world conditions of globalization.

Belarus pays great attention to strengthening good relations with Ukraine. We are in favour of closest cooperation with Poland, Lithuania, Latvia. It is very important for us that upon the accession of these countries to the European Union our traditional economic, cultural and just human ties could grow stronger, not weaker.

We, the peoples of Europe, must not allow dividing lines to be formed in our continent. That is why Belarus attaches great importance to building kind relations with the European Union and its participating states, it strives to be actively involved in all-European integration processes.

Being in the centre of Europe, Belarus makes considerable contribution to ensuring stability and security in this region.

We are following the road of gradual political and economic transformations aimed at further democratization of the society.

This was evidently confirmed by the parliamentary elections of 2000. They were held in full compliance with the new Electoral Code. 150 observers from 28 countries noted this fact.

This year we will have presidential elections. I am convinced they will be held honestly and openly. They will become another proof of the consolidation of the Belarusian people, of its advance to the future. Sustainable, year by year, development of this country, stability in the society, as well as clear and predictable stand of the Belarusian leadership are the pledge of it.

Belarus experienced all the horrors of the two world wars in the 20th century and it suffered colossal losses. That is why we continue to be firmly and consistently committed to the establishment of a single system of common European security. Our country is open for a most broad cooperation with the Euro-Atlantic structures in this important issue. Its settlement will tell on the future of the whole planet, not only of the European continent.

We attach great importance to our relations with the United States of America. I hope that pragmatic realism of the new US Administration will help bring our countries closer together on the whole range of topical political and economic issues. I am convinced that by joint efforts we will put our bilateral relations on the track of constructive cooperation.

We remain to be devoted to comprehensive cooperation with the countries of Asia. China and India are among our foreign policy priorities. The Republic of Belarus develops traditionally close contacts with these countries.

We strive to develop good relations with the Middle East countries. Belarus actively stands for extension of mutually advantageous trade as well as crediting and investment cooperation with the countries of this region.

We attach great importance to our work within the framework of international organizations - first and foremost with the United Nations Organization. I am sure that the states of the world do have and will always have a need in such an influential international arbitrator as the UN. The recent Millenium Summit confirmed such role of the UN. Belarus supports the idea of balanced reforming of this Organization so that it could indeed become an efficient instrument in addressing global and regional problems. Including security problems.

Our country does not claim geopolitical roles. However, we cannot stand aloof from processes going on in the world. Being a sovereign state, a member of the UN and other authoritative international agencies, Belarus will continue making its contribution to the strengthening of peace and justice on the Earth.

The Republic of Belarus is entering the new century and the new millenium as a fully-fledged European state. The range of our foreign policy interests and priorities has been clearly identified.

We will continue building our own state on the basis of our national interests, strong state power, efficient economy, peace-oriented foreign policy, well-devised social system.

All of it fully meets the common goal of building the durable peace without wars, without terrorism, without hatred, without violence.

It also meets our common interests to use a considerable positive potential of the Republic of Belarus for the benefit of the European and world community.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Accept my most heartfelt congratulations on the New Year!

On the New Century, on the New Millenium!

I am raising this glass wishing, with all my heart and soul, peace, goodness and prosperity to your countries and peoples.

Well-being and happiness to you and your families!

President
of the Republic of Belarus     A. Lukashenko