New Year Greetings by President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

Dear friends,

New Year is a family holiday, meaning not only a family of relatives, but all of us, members of one big family – the people of Belarus.

It is in these very minutes that we especially feel our unity: a worker and the President, a farmer and a businessman, a factory director and a teacher, a doctor and a military man.

We are a nation. A nation that is not torn apart by political strife and property redistribution, but rather a nation united by one goal of promoting the development of our Fatherland. People who allow discord to settle in their home are doomed to extinction.

Every year brings its successes and problems. Before the clock chimes we recollect both.

Frankly speaking, this year has been perhaps the most difficult year in the history of our young state. Strong political and economic pressure, imposition of various sanctions, packs of lies and disinformation.

Leaders of some countries, in order to divert attention from their domestic problems, have suddenly become ‘concerned’ with the situation in Belarus. In doing so they are missing the fact that the matter concerns a sovereign European nation rather than some state in their own country.

What this sort of ‘democracy’ leads to has become clearly visible in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as in the territory of the former Soviet Union. Endless political intrigues, corruption, economic recession, overall decline. But the most important thing is that these countries have become wholly dependent on their ‘teachers’.

They can’t forgive us that Belarus, whose independence is hard won, does not consent to become their puppet.

The increase in prices for energy resources has become a severe test for our economy. Now it’s possible to state openly: judging by its consequences, that blow was so hard that it could throw any economy into collapse.

But they didn’t manage to make us kneel. Hardships only make the strong stronger. We have not just held out. We have ensured development of our country.

Diligence, courage, wisdom of the Belarusian people deserve the deepest appreciation!

Please see the Russian version of this site for the full text of the New Year greetings.