Independence Day military parade

Distinguished soldiers, sergeants, warrant officers and officers,

Dear compatriots and guests of Minsk,

Dear veterans,

Traditionally we celebrate Independence Day on 3 July.

Our people wished to celebrate the main holiday of the Belarusian statehood on the day when the country was liberated from the Nazi invasion.

This date has a special place in the history of our Motherland.

Fewer eyewitnesses of that heinous war are alive. But the memory of heroic defenders of the Motherland lives and will live in the hearts of new generations.

Defending freedom and independence of the Fatherland, the Belarusian people made a huge contribution to the defeat of Fascism, displaying unbending will, courage and strength of spirit.

Here, in Belarus, invaders faced such a strong resistance they had never seen before.

Courage and heroism of the Red Army shown in fierce battles buried the plans of Blitzkrieg.

In the history of the fight for independence there has not been an example of such mass resistance to the enemy as in Belarus yet. The scale of action, strength, the level of resistance movement command in Belarus was commensurable with a regular army.

That was a true second front in the rear of the enemy.

We will remember that we got our freedom and independence through an enormous all-out effort, untold casualties and destruction.

The Belarusians did not subdue to the occupants and together with other brotherly peoples of the Soviet Union achieved a great victory in the most brutal and bloody war of the twentieth century.

Today there is peace and stability in the sovereign Belarus. We have worked out our own model of development.

Belarus is a full-fledged and active member of the international society, it conducts a multi-faceted foreign policy.

Belarus develops all-round cooperation with its main strategic partner – the Russian Federation, other friendly states.

The country makes concrete steps to strengthen equal mutual relations with western countries.

This consistent peaceful foreign policy of Belarus is the most important factor of strategic deterrence of aggression against our country.

We see that the world is not stable. Wars and armed conflicts have always accompanied the mankind, including at the present stage.

In these circumstances, Belarus takes the necessary measures to establish a coherent and effective system of defense. The armed forces have been brought into line with new challenges and threats of the 21st century.

In military development we aim for enhancing the defense capability of the Union State. Russia and Belarus have formed regional forces in the Eastern European region and the unified air defense system to protect the skies.

Participation of officers and soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces in our parade has become a good tradition. Russian military stand shoulder to shoulder with Belarusian servicemen today incarnating the unity of the two nations.

The two countries express their strong determination to protect their military security by all available means.

We know that in the modern world external threats usually come through internal sources.

Any attempts to wreak havoc in our country, to trigger political upheavals or “color revolutions” are futile.

We have demonstrated to the world how one should protect national interests. Belarusians have made their choice in favor of genuine independence having supported the political course of the state. We will preserve these achievements in the future.

Dear veterans,

By your example you have showed that the Belarusian nation was and will always be strong.

A low bow and deep gratitude to all of you.

Dear countrymen,

In this holy day I wish you happiness, peace, good and well-being.

Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the battles against the enemy, and gave their lives for the freedom and happiness of future generations!

Happy Independence Day!

Hurrah!