New Year Message to the Belarusian People
from President of the Republic of Belarus A.G. Lukashenko
31 December 2008

Dear friends,
No other holiday is perhaps more eagerly anticipated, is warmer and more joyful than New Year. It embodies everything: The birth of a new dream, reconciliation and consent, unity and faith.
Another wonderful thing about the New Year's night is that it makes us feel as if we revisit the events that happened to us in the recent past. Analyze and assess them, and, at the same time, see ourselves in the future already.
And although this year was a leap one, one should not nurse grievances against it. This year was not all difficulties and tribulations. It was also marked by some great accomplishments and hopes. It was interesting, eventful and as a whole successful for the country.
While bidding farewell to this year, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you, my countrymen, for everything we have done together.
My profound gratitude is to those who have grown and reaped the biggest harvest in our history, who have made sure that natural gas supply was extended to all parts of our country, who have mastered the techniques of the most complicated surgeries, having thus made a real breakthrough in medicine; to those who have been conscientiously and honestly working on a daily basis, serving their Fatherland faithfully.
I thank cordially all the citizens of our country for the trust that you have always put in the authorities, for your tranquillity and wisdom.
We have once again felt ourselves a part of the sacred whole, which name is the people of Belarus. We have made sure: A healthy nation is being formed in our country. Healthy not only physically, but also spiritually.
No conflicts or discords are tearing our society apart. Belarusians, Russians, Poles, Jews, people of various faiths co-exist peacefully, make families, without erecting any barriers between them.
Belarus is a European state. And there is no need for us to prove it.
We have never quarrelled with anyone and never caused any problems to anyone. Our hearts are always open to those who come to us with good intentions.
This year has made us more confident that we have chosen the right path.
Sometimes I think what an interesting thing history is! Those who only yesterday lectured us now speak with respect of the Belarusian development model.
And today, as the "infection" that has developed in the world economy has sparked off a severe crisis, it has been seen that what we have been doing all these years has been right. Sometimes we were groping our way forward, relying on intuition. But the main thing for us has always been that one should live with one's own brains, by one's own labour and in the interests of one's people.
Remember how harshly we were criticized for not having let the rural areas die. But when the food crisis occurred, it was the countries that could provide food for themselves by their own means that were the winners. Those included our Belarus that supported its farmers in every possible way.
We were urgently recommended to place the economy under the command of the rules of the world exchange market. But we decided not to rely on the volatile exchange trends.
We are not the ones who have provoked today's crisis which is sending shockwaves all around the world. On the contrary, the crisis has come as a result of something that we have been always struggled against with determination.
And today they should not scare us with this unwelcome guest.
Next year will be difficult, but the Belarusians are accustomed to difficulties. We did face harder times.
Then, we did not only manage to avoid falling into an abyss, but managed to build a new Belarus with a reliable margin of safety.

Dear countrymen,
We are entering the New Year with ambitious plans, confident of our capabilities. We have an enormous creative and intellectual potential.
We will be advancing persistently towards the high standards of the quality of life.
Yes, it will not be easy, but you should know: The government will not allow a collapse and chaos, will not betray your trust. We will never fail our principle – to take care of a man!
The main thing is that one should not forget that everything depends on oneself! For tests make the strong even stronger, and as for the weak and faint-hearted, they destroy them.
I am convinced that we will not just tackle today's problems, but will become even hardier and self-confident.

Dear friends,
The year 2009 is on the threshold. In one minute we will enter it as a united Belarusian family.
We have things to be proud of. We are the Belarusians! With a glorious heroic past, creative present, impressive future.
We are entering the 65th year of peace.
And it is for a reason that it was declared the Year of Native Land. Our land is a remarkable corner of the planet given to us by God. And we should pass it on to our children and grandchildren, making it more beautiful and nice.
On this night, when we look openly into each other's eyes, we come to think of what ordinary happiness for a man is. And its formula is simple – to live worthily, love and be loved, feel the warmth of your family, see your family and friends healthy and successful.
May you have all this in New Year.
May the grieves and hardships go away and the hearts be filled with faith and optimism.
May accord and prosperity always be a part of your home.
May children's laughter be heard in your home and the eyes of the women shine with happiness.
May every one of you have more memorable moments and joyous accomplishments.
May your good hopes and most ambitious dreams come true.
Health, happiness and success to you, dear friends.
Happy New Year!