Belarus urges the creation of a multipolar world order, and this position is supported by many states, said the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on 12 February at the Belarusian State University while conversing with students.

The President visited a new BSU building housing two departments: the department of journalism and philosophy and the department of social sciences. The President said he liked the new research complex meeting modern-day European standards.

Alexander Lukashenko got familiar with the prospects of development of Belarus’ biggest university, surveyed the material and technical infrastructure and how the education process is organised at the department of journalism. The President also delivered a speech before the students on the topic “Belarus in Modern World”.

Opening the meeting, the President said that a lot had changed to the better since he visited the BSU last time. “It is very important that the University has managed to restore its status of the main higher education institution, the leading education and research centre of the country, to build up its main asset which is highly-qualified faculty and the supreme level of education. The State is eager to see the brand and prestige of the BSU maintained worthily both inside Belarus and beyond its confines; to see other education institutions follow the example set by this higher education institution,” the President said.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, education remains a priority area of social and economic development of Belarus. In 2008 alone, one fifth of the country’s consolidated budget will be channelled into education.

Investments in education, in preparation of highly qualified specialists are the most appropriate investments into the future of our young state, the President said.

Speaking about the place of Belarus in modern-day world, the Head of State stressed that the Belarusian strategy in foreign policy rests on three fundamental principles, which are political sovereignty, economic openness and equal partnership relations between countries. “The golden rule of the Belarusian foreign policy is multi-directedness and commitment to mutually beneficial contacts,” he said.

“The disintegration of the Soviet Union was the biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20^th century first of all because of the collapse of the system of a bipolar world order, which existed at the time. Many hoped that the end of the cold war would mark a deliverance from heavy military spending, and the money released thereon would be used to address global challenges: food, energy, ecological and other,” the President said. “But those expectations were never met. The cold war was followed by even fiercer fight for energy resources. In fact, a new division of the world has begun. All means are put to use, right up to occupation of independent states,” he said.

Unipolarity is a dangerous disease which can lead to a degradation and collapse of the world, because it stifles competition which, in turn, is the fundamental principle of development of the human civilisation, Alexander Lukashenko said.

Alexander Lukashenko added that the USA, which became the only superpower following the collapse of the USSR, embarked on the course to build a unipolar world. Today, this imperial strategy can be counterbalanced by Russia, India, China, and Latin America. New centre of power will emerge, the Head of State said.

“It is a firm and independent position in international affairs, rather than a lack of freedom and democracy, that is the main reason why threats and sanctions come falling on Belarus,” Alexander Lukashenko said. Speaking about the sanctions against the Belarusian concern Belneftekhim, he called them economic blackmail on the part of unconscientious competitors.

Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus chooses its friends-allies independently, without asking American “wise men’s” advice. “Our country cooperates with China, Iran, Venezuela and other states, which irritates the USA,” the President said. “Belarusian-Venezuelan relations are a real contribution into forming a multipolar world order. Together we represent force with which even superpowers can’t fail to reckon,” he said.

Alexander Lukashenko reaffirmed Belarus’ willingness to hold a dialogue with western countries, especially with the European Union.

“Our approaches are as constructive as possible: what is needed is a dialogue rather than dictate! We are very interested in cooperating with Western countries, especially with the European Union,” the Head of State said.