Working trip to Grodno Oblast

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko attended the ceremony to inaugurate the Vostochny road bridge across the Neman River in Grodno on 6 August.

The ceremony was attended by Grodno officials, heads and workers of design and construction organizations which took part in the renovation of the bridge, general public.

“Thank you for coming. You could not but come: we need to report back to our country since the country provided the money for the bridge,” the President remarked. “Thank you once again for coming to this already sacred place for Grodno residents.”

The head of state remarked that the Vostochny road bridge across the Neman River is the highest bridge in Belarus. Its height is 32,5m above the water level. “The whole country was collecting the money for the restoration of the bridge. I understood that Grodno cannot do without it. Both your former and current governors were interested in finishing the renovations as soon as possible. Thank you to our builders – it took them only 1.5 years (the record speed) to create this wonder, such a beautiful bridge,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The new bridge is a present for the residents of the region on the occasion of the anniversary of the liberation of Grodno Oblast from Nazi invaders. The President recalled that Grodno was liberated by the Red Army in July 1944. The whole territory of the USSR was liberated in August 1944. Although the people had to wait for another ten months till the victorious May of 1945, it became obvious that the defeat of the Third Reich was predetermined.

“Thanks to them, Soviet soldiers and underground fighters, we now live peacefully on our soil, and we are absolutely confident about our future. I assure you of that. You should not worry at all,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. “Yes, we do not relax, we are keeping an eye on the events across the borders. We see everything, we just cannot speak about everything yet. But please don’t worry: our land will always be ours.”

The Vostochny road bridge literally connected the eras. According to the President, its foundation was laid in the first post-war decades by the people who saw the war and knew how fragile the world was. Therefore, in the 1960s t was planned to use the bridge for the convenience of strategic missile forces. It was possible to launch missiles from it if necessary. Fortunately, it has never been used for such purposes, the President added.

“We just had to renovate this wonder. Today we have a unique opportunity to merge the invaluable experience of the previous generation with cutting-edge technologies of the present-day construction industry. Everything that we erect and strengthen – bridges, roads, cities, the independence of our sovereign state – should also become the foundation for the future achievements of our children,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The head of state expressed hope that new bridge across the Neman River, having stood a few durability tests and having survived the blow of the bad weather, became a symbol of keeping the national memory of Belarusians, their history and traditions. He once again thanked all specialists for it. In his words, this is a truly grandiose structure. The President congratulated them and the labor veterans on forthcoming Builder’s Day.

“Dear builders, you have made a good present not only to the residents of Grodno, but also to all Belarusian people. All roads to the west cross this sacred land,” the Belarusian leader said. “We will do our best to support construction workers, they are essential for every country. The country exists when it builds something. If the country does not build anything, it means that it has stopped in its development.”

The head of state was given a symbolic key from the bridge. He handed it over to Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Karanik.

It is worth saying that the weather was rather in Grodno – rain with strong winds.

“Thank you once again. The governor called me at seven o’clock. We discussed what we should do. He told me that I should come and open this bridge in spite of the rain. This will be the sign of respect for Grodno residents from the President and the country. I think he made a wise decision not to postpone the ceremony once again. I am very happy to be here today,” the Belarusian leader said.