Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with graduates of Belarusian and Russian military universities

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Belarus will protect its national interests by all available means, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with graduates of the general staff department and the command staff faculty of the Military Academy of Belarus and graduates of Russian military universities on 4 July.

The President stressed that the Belarusian people like no other know the price for peace and are always ready to defend their sovereignty. “The events of recent years have shown that military power, unfortunately, remains an instrument of dealing with international political and economic problems. More and more countries become the target of barefaced aggression in disguise of specious excuses of promoting democracy, combating international terrorism, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. These efforts have brought about the recent events in North Africa and the Middle East. These regions were plunged into chaos, anarchy and lawlessness,” the head of state said.

“These disturbing circumstances require us to maintain our security, sovereignty and independence relying primarily on our own resources. Belarus has no geopolitical ambitions, but we will defend our national interests using all available means. We have the latest armory to give an adequate response to external and internal threats of the national security; we have maintained a high morale, professionalism and authority of the law enforcement; we have established our own military training practices,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state noted that the quality and efficiency of training offered by the Military Academy of Belarus are recognized far beyond the country. He noted that the development of military forces of any country is a continuous process. “You will have to deal with complicated and responsible tasks associated with the military personnel training, maintenance of combat and mobilization readiness, border protection, maintenance of public security, anti-corruption efforts and protection of economic security,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state noted that many of the attendees will take part in a very important operational training event in September 2013 – a Belarus-Russia joint strategic military exercise West 2013. “You should focus on promoting patriotism and readiness to defend the national interests of Belarus,” the Belarusian leader noted. The head of state said that it is necessary to constantly improve professional skills to be able to keep up with the time. “The biggest success will come to those who will be able to demonstrate knowledge, iron discipline and total devotion,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President greeted officers of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan who graduated from the Faculty of the General Staff of the Armed Forces: “Successful completion of the training course in this educational facility is a testimony to efficient military ties between our countries and fruitful bilateral cooperation. You should know that you are always welcome in Belarus, while our friendship with the brotherly people of Kazakhstan will remain a most important factor of maintaining security of the two states”.

Aleksandr Lukashenko presented general’s shoulder straps to high-ranking officers of law enforcement bodies. Head of the Interior Department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Igor Yevseyev and Head of the Interior Ministry Academy Vladimir Bachila received shoulder straps of the major general of police. Grodno Oblast Prosecutor Viktor Morozov was given shoulder straps of the state advisor of justice 3rd class.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also presented special letters of thanks to the military of the Armed Forces, state security bodies, border service, emergencies bodies who have graduated from institutions of higher learning in recognition of their academic excellence and exemplary fulfilment of military duties.