Ceremony to honor graduates of military universities and senior officers

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Belarusians, like no other nation, value peace, security and independence. These most important achievements of our nation need solid protection, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony to welcome graduates of military schools and high-ranking military officers at the Palace of Independence on 5 July. 

Military blocs and alliances are expanding to the detriment of security of other countries, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said. 

“Unfortunately, as I have mentioned many times before, the new century did not rid the humankind of wars. Armed aggression is still used as an instrument to promote foreign policy interests. The ongoing enlargement of military blocs and alliances jeopardizes security of other countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President noted that in the face of these challenging developments Belarus remains committed to a peaceful policy and does not abandon efforts to maintain peace in the region and beyond.    

“Our country rolled out foreign policy initiatives that seek to ease tensions and build trust in the region. It seems that we have been heard; however, no action has been taken yet. It is clear why,” the head of state noted.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko conferred general’s shoulder straps on the Belarusian military in a rank promotion ceremony at the Independence Palace.

Major-general’s shoulder straps were presented to Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief of Armament Andrei Fedin, to First Deputy Chief of Support Services of the Armed Forces, Chief of Staff for Logistics Alexander Panferov and head of the Minsk Suvorov Military School Alexander Naumenko.

Shoulder straps of the major general of police were conferred on Chief of the Interior Department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Ivan Kubrakov and Chief of the Interior Department of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Alexander Astreiko. The rank of state councilor of the customs service 3rd rank was assigned to head of the Grodno Regional Customs Office Andrei Kovalchuk.

The ceremony also honored the graduates of higher military educational institutions: the Command and Staff Department of the Belarusian Military Academy, the Police Academy, the National Security Institute and some military universities of Russia. Twenty-one people serving in the Armed Forces, Interior Ministry interior forces, and national security bodies received letters of commendation from the Belarusian president in recognition of academic excellence and exemplary fulfillment of their military duties.

Aleksandr Lukashenko congratulated officers on the successful graduation and the generals on the promotion. “Defending the Motherland is a difficult but noble job. The Belarusian nation believes in you and counts on your responsibility and high professionalism. You must justify this trust and perform well the tasks in the new positions,” the head of state underlined.

Military personnel play a decisive role in enhancing the operational capability of the Armed Forces, the president said. These are the people who have devoted their lives to defending the motherland. They will face difficult and responsible tasks of ensuring the highest-level combat skills and coherence of the command bodies and troops, training subordinates the modern warfare methods.

“Please pay attention to the strengthening of military discipline, fostering a sense of vigilance and mutual support. You must serve as an example for subordinates. Remember that at all times officers have been people of duty, honor and discipline,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing the military.

Reliable protection of individuals, society and the state from any criminal violations is the most important task of the bodies of the interior, the President noted.

Graduates of the Emergencies Ministry educational facilities must direct their main efforts on the prevention of emergency situations. “Safe operation of the nuclear power plant will be among the priorities,” the head of state said.

Special services officers must prevent manifestations of terrorism and extremism, incitement to national, religious and social strife, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized, “The difficult international situation associated with the risk of terrorist attacks, drug trafficking, illegal migration suggests we must maintain combat readiness of the border guards at a high level,” the Belarusian leader added.

The recent Independence Day military parade was the best in the history of independent Belarus, President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony to honor graduates of military schools and senior military officers.

“I am convinced that almost all the attendees took part in our parade. I believe this was the best organized parade in my time in office and in the history of sovereign and independent Belarus. It was seamless, vibrant and spectacular,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. 

The President thanked all people who took part in the preparation and conduct of the parade. “I want our military service to be just as smooth and certain,” the head of state emphasized.