Kopyl regional executive committee

The sovereignty and independence of Belarus are a constant, not up for any discussion, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he announced new appointments in Minsk on 1 August, BelTA has learned.

"The main thing is economy. That's the number one question. If there is a functioning economy, everything else will follow. I would like to note that the sovereignty and independence of Belarus (the West is generating this idea that we are losing our sovereignty and independence by cooperating with Russia) are a constant and I tell you this directly as you are a future representative not only of the Belarusian president in Russia. These things are not something to be discussed," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, appointing Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Dmitry Krutoi Belarus' ambassador to Russia.

The head of state reiterated that Belarus and Russia are able to build a close union while maintaining sovereignty and independence. "We are quite smart people. The Russian president is an absolutely reasonable person and understands in which direction we should move. Therefore, by preserving the independence of Russia and Belarus, we will build such a union that both federal and confederate states, and, perhaps, even unitary states will be envious of," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Written by belta.by

Changes have been introduced to the Belarusian state investment program for 2022. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed corresponding decree No. 257 on 26 July, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian head of state.

Additional Br357.1 million will be allocated for the implementation of the country's state investment program in 2022, which will finally total Br1.052 billion instead of the previously planned Br695 million.

Additional funds will be allocated to construct roads and bridges, continue the construction of facilities, which financing was halted by international financial organizations, construct water de-ironing stations, design and construct rental housing for servicemen and civil servants.

The measures taken will make it possible to increase the number of facilities scheduled for commissioning this year from 48 to 60, to improve the state of the transport infrastructure and to intensify the work on building rental housing.

Written by belta.by

The grain procurement targets must be met, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a conference to discuss the progress in the harvest campaign on 26 July, BelTA has learned.

"The government grain procurement targets must be achieved. And they will be. According to preliminary estimates, the grain of this year's harvest is good for high-quality bakery. Therefore, we need to procure as much grain as to meet the demand in full or even with a margin," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

We also need to lay the groundwork to achieve the strategic tasks in agriculture and to stock grain fodder for animal husbandry, taking into account the regimens to ensure a high level of productivity in milk and meat, the president noted.

Written by belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed Decree No. 253 “On simplified acceptance of construction projects”, BelTA learned from the press service of the head of state.

The document authorizes local executive and administrative bodies to accept single-family homes and non-residential buildings built without permits and the necessary paperwork (with the exception of those located in Minsk). Such buildings will not be considered unauthorized.

The decree will come into force on 1 September 2022 and will be valid till 1 January 2025. The document will legalize unauthorized buildings erected on the land plots granted to people before 1 September 2022.

Written by belta.by

The critical situation on the global food market is getting worse, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a conference to discuss the progress in the harvest campaign on 26 July, BelTA has learned.

According to the head of state, the critical situation in the world food market is only getting worse. "The footage of burning wheat fields set on fire by helicopters of our southern neighbor does not add optimism to anyone. But this is only the tip of the iceberg," the president said.

"The mindless sanctions on fertilizers and energy and the severance of transport links have put many countries on the verge of survival. Winter is coming. Those who will not be able to feed themselves are in for a cold and hungry winter," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Written by belta.by

All nuclear weapons in the world should be destroyed, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Minsk on 21 July, BelTA has learned.

“I am absolutely opposed to nuclear weapons. They must be completely destroyed around the world. And the world will become a safer place then. Today, in addition to nuclear weapons, there are also biological weapons (you see what is happening), cyber weapons. You know, this is even worse than nuclear weapons. Therefore, we [Belarus] do not need nuclear weapons,” the head of state said.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that NATO members in Europe are training on aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. “Well, why shouldn't we prepare for this? So we agreed that we will upgrade our aircraft so that they can carry nuclear weapons. But we can do it on our own. We have aircraft factories that are capable of re-equipping aircraft using Russian technologies. It is not difficult at all. As the military told me, it is a matter of a few months. Yet, as you have heard, Putin said that they could help us. And we will train. Once you, NATO members, Americans, stop doing this, we will not do it either. We do not need it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“We don't want to be a battlefield where you will clash with Russia. It has always been like that. World War I, World War II. It has always been like that. We don't want this,” the Belarusian leader added.

Written by belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has sent greetings to the people of the Kingdom of Belgium as the country celebrates National Day, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

The head of state noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “The fruitful bilateral cooperation and close interaction in various sectors based on respect and assistance contributed to the formation of reliable contacts,” the message of congratulations reads.

Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed his gratitude to the Belgian side for humanitarian support and numerous charity initiatives to improve the health of Belarusian children affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident.

“Today the world community is facing a number of serious threats. But I am convinced that no political contradictions can destroy the solid foundation of friendly relations. Belarus will continue to consistently advocate mutually respectful partnerships with your state at all levels,” the president stressed.

The Belarusian leader wished the people of Belgium a peaceful sky, solidarity, prosperity and confidence in the future.

Written by belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko raised the issue of Belarus' visa waiver program for citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland as he met with Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Karanik in Minsk on 19 July, BelTA has learned.

"It's a peculiar issue. We have launched a visa-waiver program for citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. First of all, this is your area of responsibility as you lead the frontier region. What are your impressions, your point of view on this?” the head of state asked. “Do we continue with it? What is the reaction of people, both visitors from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland and our people? Most importantly, how do our people feel about it?"

"The governments of these countries have gone bananas. They are losing it. They are picking at children now. This is all you need to know about freedom of speech and human rights,” the Belarusian leader noted.

“But, still, I would like to know how our people react to this and what your point of view on the further use of the program is,” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked.

Belarus' visa-waiver program for citizens of the neighboring countries promotes interpersonal contacts, Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Karanik told the media after the meeting with the head of state.

According to the governor, the number of visa-waiver arrivals in the region from Lithuania and Poland is growing. "We don't see any problem with these visits," he said. “People communicate with their relatives. They do go shopping here. But this does not cause any shortages. People buying things here and taking them home, to their countries, does not cause an aggressive reaction from locals."

Vladimir Karanik is convinced that the visa-waiver program promotes interpersonal contacts: "Friendship and good relations between states begin with friendship and good relations between their citizens. For our part, we are interested in good-neighborly relations with all our neighbors and will continue to stimulate interpersonal contacts, which (after all, philosophy has not been canceled) will grow from quantity into quality. Foreigners who come to our country and see that this is a calm, clean, beautiful and very comfortable country will be able to convey this point of view to their politicians, and relations between our countries will begin to improve.

As BelTA reported earlier, Belarus waived visas for citizens of Lithuania, Latvia (including for people who have the status of a non-citizen of Latvia) for the period from 15 April till 31 December. On 1 July, Belarus introduced a visa-waiver program for citizens of Poland.

Written by minsk-region.gov.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko raised the issue of Belarus' visa waiver program for citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland as he met with Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Karanik in Minsk on 19 July, BelTA has learned.

"It's a peculiar issue. We have launched a visa-waiver program for citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. First of all, this is your area of responsibility as you lead the frontier region. What are your impressions, your point of view on this?” the head of state asked. “Do we continue with it? What is the reaction of people, both visitors from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland and our people? Most importantly, how do our people feel about it?"

"The governments of these countries have gone bananas. They are losing it. They are picking at children now. This is all you need to know about freedom of speech and human rights. But, nevertheless, I wonder how our people react to this and what your point of view on the further use of the program is ,” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked.

As for the attacks on children, the president was most likely referring to the situation with the real harassment and persecution of representatives of the Riga Children's Academy of Radio and Television Academy KidsTV who came to Belarus for the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk festival. The Belarusian head of state have them a brief interview.

After that, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Security Service of Latvia started an inquiry into the trip of the young journalists to Belarus. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics went even further by saying that the academy might be closed. “Due to the gross disregard for the travel safety recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and participation in the information warfare, the activities of such organizations are unacceptable and should be stopped,” he said.

In turn, the State Security Service of Latvia opened a treason probe against the children and their teachers and is checking whether their activities might present a threat to national security.

Written by belta.by

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed a law setting forth the new version of the Land Code, BelTA learned from the press service of the head of state.

The document allows providing individuals with land plots up to one hectare to build homes in rural areas. The document also allows land users to buy within five years land plots that they will have as of 1 September 2022 or to lease land plots for a period of 99 years on preferential terms (using a coefficient of 0.8 in Minsk and oblast capitals, and 0.5 elsewhere).

The document also has a clause on land plots that were provided to people on the housing waiting list. In line with the document, the period during which they will be limited in the power of disposition of such land plots and real estate located on them will be reduced from eight to five years.

In addition, the law seeks to sort out the most common problems in the field of land relations. In particular, the document allows dividing land plots provided for the construction of single-family homes and other buildings before the completion of construction, as well as changing the purpose and boundaries of such plots, provided they are bought into private ownership or leased for a period of 99 years and provided other requirements are met.

The law regulates issues related to land that was taken illegally and unauthorized construction. Regional executive committees will be entitled, taking into account the situation on the ground and economic sense, to determine where land plots can been provided without an auction. The document establishes the possibility of including lands unsuitable for other use into settlements or the formation of new rural settlements on such lands, including farms.

The law also strengthens the role of local authorities in regulating land relations, maintaining order and resolving land disputes.

Written by belta.by