Ceremony to honor graduates of military universities and senior officers

Belarus should use all tools to protect its national interests, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the ceremony to honor graduates of military universities and senior officers on 6 July.

“The events of recent years show that military methods are still used as a tool to resolve international problems. Belarus pursues a peace-loving multi-vector foreign policy. Our country does not have geopolitical ambitions. However, we should use all tools to protect our national interests. We should do it relying on our own capacities and military cooperation with the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

There will be no sovereign Belarus without the well-trained and well-equipped Armed Forces. They are meant to ensure the territorial integrity and stability of the state. They should adequately respond to all threats.

“The optimization of power-wielding bodies is underway. The army receives modern military equipment. It is restructuring, adjusting to new warfare conditions. Our Armed Forces have received Yak-130 aircraft, Mi-8 helicopters, Tor-M2 air defense complexes. The multiple-launch rocket systems Polonez have been put into service. There have been successful trials at Belarusian ranges of Belarusian-made armored cars, radio detectors, various kinds of drones and mobile command posts,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked. “You will use this cutting-edge equipment. And you will have to teach other soldiers to operate it. It is needed to step up efforts to raise the combat readiness, ensure a high level of training and the efficiency of military administration.”

The joint strategic army exercise West 2017 is an important step in improving the system of ensuring the national security of the state. “Many of you will take part in the Belarus-Russia joint strategic army exercise West 2017 in September. This is an important step in the training of the Armed Forces, other troops and military units, the improvement of the system of ensuring Belarus’ national security,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The Emergencies Ministry also plays an important role in ensuring Belarus’ national security. “Graduates of universities of the Emergencies Ministry should continue doing their best to protect the population from emergencies and their consequences. They should use efficient methods to respond to accidents, catastrophes, and natural disasters, improve civil protection in the country and ensure safety during the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction,” the President said.

“Taking into account the growing terrorist threat in the world, increasing illegal migration, spread of drugs, import of guns, it is needed to improve the system of ensuring border security in the state,” the Belarusian leader emphasized. “These risks have a considerable impact on public security. In this regard law enforcement bodies should step up efforts to ensure the safety of life and work for our citizens.”

According to the President, senior officials should do their best to instill the feeling of patriotism in junior officers who should always be ready to defend the state.

Aleksandr Lukashenko presented shoulder boards to representatives of Belarusian power-wielding bodies. Major general’s shoulder boards have been presented to Alexander Terekhov, Oleg Matkin, and Gennady Lepeshko. Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee Alexander Bogdevich has been awarded the special rank of the state advisor of customs service 3^rd class.

The head of state also presented letters of commendation to 16 graduates of military universities for academic excellence and exemplary fulfillment of the military duty. The awardees include representatives of the Armed Forces, interior troops of the Interior Ministry, national security bodies and the Emergencies Ministry.

“I would like this event to be a good start in your lives and an example for those present at the ceremony as well as for thousands of soldiers protecting our native land,” the President addressing officers.

Aleksandr Lukashenko wished health and family accord to the army officers attending the ceremony.