News & Events in Belarus

New concept for Independence Day parade in Belarus discussed
According to the source, the parade will be a traditional one with a certain number of novelties. More troops will parade on foot. The troops will be detached by mechanized brigades and territorial defense troops. More vehicles will be involved in this year’s parade as well. Preliminary calculations place the number at about 220 units of equipment, said Andrei Ravkov...

Lukashenko encourages young people to build their future in their own country
Alexander Lukashenko noted that as practice shows it could be quite difficult to reintegrate back in the native country, find a place in the society. “Homeland is the main thing. Therefore, I advise you, not as president but as a person, not to leave your homeland! Live here and try to do some good for your country. Do something for those who might help you become great people and true leaders someday,” the head of state said...

Belarus interested in interacting with EU on development of regions
Alexander Lukashenko remarked that the recent events in Minsk involving this European body are entwined in the fabric of normalization of Belarus’ relations with Europe. “You are preparing corresponding recommendations for the European Union on a big spectrum of relations between Belarus and the EU, especially for the Eastern Partnership Initiative"...

Belarus President reviews plans for further optimization of government bodies
The government has enacted all regulatory acts required to continue this process in other government bodies. “Relevant acts and schedule of optimization have been adopted. We will report on the progress of optimization in 2017 till 1 December,” Natalia Kochanova said...

Belarus, Latvia to co-host 2021 IIHF World Championship
The secret vote took place in Hyatt Regency Cologne Hotel. The joint bid of Minsk and Riga got 55 votes, while Finland’s bid received 52. Belarus and Latvia placed a joint bid to host the 2021 IIHF World Championship in January 2017...

Trade union movement described as essential for Belarus
I would like to stress it once again: I will keep paying great attention to the development of trade union movement. This is the pillar of our country and mine as a president. I carefully observe what is going on in this field,” the Belarusian leader noted. During the meeting Alexander Lukashenko offered to review the state of affairs in Belarus’ trade union movement...

Lukashenko hopes for further enhancement of Belarus-Serbia relations
“I met with Serbian president-elect Aleksandar Vucic in Beijing. I noticed that the foundation that we had laid to restore the friendly relations between the Orthodox nations of Belarus and Serbia is strengthening. I am saying it because I see that the president-elect is also committed to this policy of our friendship,” Alexander Lukashenko said...

Beijing summit: Lukashenko calls for joint peaceful, mutually beneficial development
The Belarusian leader noted that today the world is experiencing active evolvement and global changes. These changes are associated with continuous challenges and risks. "That is why it is of high importance today to take a historical opportunity to change the model of interstate cooperation. Prosperity can be achieved only through joint peaceful and mutually beneficial development,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed...

Prospects of Belarus’ cooperation with Swiss Glencore discussed
“I’ve heard a lot about you, about your accomplishments in business recently. It does not seem right that such a large company — Europe’s sixth largest — has no business and no standard business contacts in Belarus,” the head of state said...

Lukashenko to pay working visit to China 13-16 May
In Beijing, the Belarusian head of state will take part in the international cooperation forum One Belt, One Road where he will voice the proposals of the Belarusian side to deepen and expand cooperation on the Eurasian continent with an emphasis on joint peaceful mutually beneficial development...

Belarus into Eurovision 2017 final
The Belarusian entry NaviBand performed their Belarusian-language song Historyja Maiho Zyccia (Story of My Life) in the second semifinal of the 62nd international song competition in Kiev. Belarus’ Artyom Lukyanenko and Kseniya Zhuk will perform their song once again at the European largest song contest on 13 May...

Lukashenko calls on Belarusian and Russian producers to act like partners
“Let's compete fairly. If we produce harvesters in Gomel, and Russia has the Rostselmash producer, we need to agree as partners. This is our common market. There is no need to squeeze each other out. If Rostselmash sees no possibility of reaching an agreement, then what can we do," Belarus President said as he met with Governor of Russia’s Rostov Oblast Vasily Golubev...

Lukashenko: We will always admire the courage of our compatriots
"They did not kneel before the invaders. Both the old and the young rose up against the enemy. Hundreds of thousands of partisans and underground fighters killed the enemy in every part of the Belarusian land. Such a powerful resistance became a real contribution to the defeat of the fascism and the liberation of Belarus”...

Lukashenko signs Belarus’ application for 2018 Winter Olympics
The 23rd Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea from 9 to 25 February 2018. Currently, Belarusian athletes are competing for the right to present their country in biathlon, freestyle skiing, cross-country skiing, speed skating, short-track speed skating, and figure skating. Belarusian athletes are expected to book 25-30 Olympic berths...

Alexander Lukashenko sends Victory Day greetings to foreign leaders
The head of state remarked that 9 May is a symbol of courage, bravery, patriotism, and honor. “This holiday reminds us about a common path of the brotherly nations, about the unity of history and spiritual experience, victories and trials,” the message of greetings reads...

Alexander Lukashenko extends Victory Day greetings to Belarusians
“In fierce battles of the Great Patriotic War 72 years ago the Soviet Army and its allies defeated Nazism, stopped its inhuman aggression. Belarusian families honor the military feat of their ancestors and keep their orders, medals, photos and letters from the front like priceless relics,” the congratulatory message runs...

Lukashenko: No country in Europe is closer to China than Belarus
“Unfortunately, the global economy and politics have become unpredictable. However, in spite of the global challenges Belarus and China have created strong, solid, and reliable interstate ties, the relations of trustworthy all-round strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation”...

Wrestler Vanessa Kolodinskaya wins European champion title
The Belarusian claimed the -53kg champion title after beating Iulia Leorda of Moldova, Angela Dorogan of Azerbaijan, Maria Prevolaraki of Greece, and Russia’s Natalia Malysheva. The winner was awarded by three-time Olympic freestyle wrestling champion Alexander Medved of Belarus...

Mass Media in Belarus expo opens in Minsk
The forum will feature Belarusian news agencies, editors' offices, and media publishing houses. Among the invitees are Chinese and Russian mass media. The forum will showcase the Union State publications and also materials circulated among the Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, and Russia...

New opportunities for Belarus’ engagement in European integration processes
“Belarus now holds the presidency in the Central European Initiative (CEI). It has opened up new opportunities for the more active engagement of Belarus in European integration processes. The promotion of solidarity in Big Europe has been chosen as the main topic of Belarus’ presidency for a reason,” Alexander Lukashenko said...