| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Lukashenko Wants More Belarusians
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gave his annual address to the National Assembly yesterday, at which he stated that the formation of a union state with Russia will continue unabated, the country will improve relations with the United States and European Union, even though they support the opposition, and he will triple the country's population.
“We are located in Europe and do not intend to pack our bags and change the map of the world,” Lukashenko observed. “The European Union is trading partner number two for us. And besides the economy, we are connected by thousands of ties of common challenges and problems, and the need to work together to solve them. That is an important factor for our continent and they understand that in Europe. Sooner or later, the U.S. will understand as well.”
Belarus has everything necessary to take a leading role in the world economy, and world market conditions are going in Minsk's favor, the Belarusian president said. “While conceptually preserving the economic model we have developed, we must continue to improve it qualitatively and transition t the next, higher level. We have everything we need to occupy a leading place in the world economy,” Lukashenko said. Increasing the population is “a question of live and the future for the state,” however. Lukashenko said the population had to be at least tripled.
In addition, the president plans to ban drinking and smoking in public places. The Belarusian film industry can expect a renaissance. “Belarusian film is experiencing its second birth,” the president said. “The time is not far off when Belarusfilm will become a Belarusian Hollywood.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 30, 2008
|
|
|
