Belarus signs Nature, yoga and $7m worth even modern art in contracts of Belarusian at the food expo villages and in Dubai 4 agro-towns 10 PUBLISHED SINCE FEBRUARY 2003 NO. 09 (871) THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 WWW.SB.BY BELTA A scene from Paulinka. A second year student of the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts — Anastasia Voronkova — performs Paulinka, while Agatha is played by Honoured Artiste of Belarus, Tamara Mironova National culture’s brand The Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre opened its 101st season with a remastered and sparkling Paulinka. The scent of flowers once again embraced the theatre and, it seemed, their fragrance penetrated deep into the soul — awakening it to spring and renewal. Emotions on the premiere night were on the high. Theatre-goers took photos against the elegant interiors more often than usual, until the lights went out in the hall and the theatrical miracle began. 9 The union worthy of our peoples Details of negotiations with Vladimir Putin and fakes about them, joint projects with Russia in the military sphere, Union State construction and the socio-political situation in the two countries are among the results of the meeting at the Palace of Independence To begin with, the Head of State spoke in detail BELTA about the agenda of his recent talks with Vladimir Putin, and also debunked all the speculation and false assumptions that have arisen about this. Similar top-level meet- ings are commonly ac- companied by the latter. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, “We share a firm understanding that this is our common Fatherland — from Brest to Vladivo- stok where two indepen- dent states now exist.” FOCUS By Dmitry Umpirovich, common ground were subject- QUOTE multi-vector policies. He add- Polina Konoga ed to a thorough analysis. Se- ed that such people don’t even rious attention was also paid to President Aleksandr Lukashenko: know the essence of the foreign On the way the issue of co-operation. There I’d like to stress once more: whatever is the situation policy of the Belarusian state, to rapprochement are plenty of areas where such in Belarus, I — as the first President of Belarus — explaining, “Our multi-vector The heads of state had much interaction can be established. am more interested than anyone else in preserving foreign policy is conditioned, to discuss in Sochi. They talked The President, in particular, the sovereignty of our state. Otherwise, you can first of all, by our economic pol- about co-operation, military and spoke about co-operation in the cross out the entire quarter of a century that I have icy. If the Russian Federation is worked as President. military-technical liaisons, im- military-industrial complex, ready to consume all of Bela- plementation of joint projects, also mentioning repair plants Defence topics Lukashenko said, adding that rus’ exports today, then we’ll sanctions and countering vari- and the Integral Plant. “These Aleksandr Lukashenko they exchanged classified in- channel all our exports there. ous challenges, including from Belarusian plants are in demand called defence issues the most formation and various secret Russia, however, isn’t ready to outside. Aleksandr Lukashenko there. I proposed co-operation. extensive area in the negotiations documents — including those do it. We have to sell our ma- stressed that the context of their The Russian President said that with his Russian counterpart. To obtained by the State Securi- chinery, food, petrochemicals, talks was limited to the Union it’s very interesting for them. begin with, he analysed the situ- ty Committee of Belarus, the and chemicals in third markets. State agenda, though adding, Therefore, the Government, the ation developing at the external Main Intelligence Directorate We have to ensure this using State Secretariat, the Defence borders, “We see what’s happen- of the Russian General Staff and both diplomatic and political “Belarus is a sovereign Ministry should step up efforts ing, they have become brazen… other agencies — with Vladimir means.” and independent state. The in this area,” he said. Just a couple of weeks ago, Putin. Belarus is trying to build world has changed so much ‘Civil’ projects are also in NATO jets flew straight to our The Head of State stressed friendly relations with other that talks about Belarus focus. The President recalled border. What were we supposed that destructive forces will now neighbours. The country is in- joining Russia, or Russia that the topic of possible co-op- to do? We scrambled Su-30 to in- try to support protest activity terested in co-operation with joining Belarus, or any oth- eration in the aviation industry tercept them. They turned away. with the help of various kinds the West, where there are finan- er kind of merger with a sin- was discussed at the EAEU This means they will constantly of fake news. cial and technological resourc- gle administration…. The summit. Russia has recently de- put us to the test, and we will However, transfer of power es, and with China. The Head world has changed so much veloped a midrange jetliner and have to respond.” wasn’t discussed in Sochi. This of State added, “At the same that it would be foolish even is likely to transfer the mainte- Among the proposals was topic is in the minds of the op- time, we say that Russia is un- to consider it.” nance and production of some the following: Russian and Be- position and some media have shakable, it’s the main direction components to the partners larusian aircraft can carry out even written about it. Aleksandr in which we’re ready to move. The President noted that who are ready to oversee these. joint combat duty in the air- Lukashenko said firmly, “There I’m very glad that the Russian the sides share a common goal, It seems Belarus is ready — on space of our country. This prac- cannot be any transfer of power leadership understands us in “We are determined (we share the basis of its Minsk Civil Avi- tice was previously in place: in Belarus… Everything will this regard. This doesn’t mean this opinion) to make the Un- ation Plant No. 407. in 2014, during the Ice Hockey be done in accordance with the that we’re going separate ways. ion State a perfect association World Championships. Constitution and the law. We of Belarus and Russia. No one On fakes The President stressed that will adopt the Constitution, as I All our negotiations will reproach us for imping- Another myth was debunked the parties intend to continue said, in January-February 2022. were based on the platform ing on someone’s independ- by the President: during his acting within the framework of That’s all.” of creating a unified sys- ence or sovereignty. We will meeting with Mr. Putin, the top- the joint grouping of troops in tem in all areas, so that it do it in a sympathetic and de- ic of opening new loans wasn’t defence matters. He added that On the multi-vector would be even closer than cent manner.” discussed. It wasn’t even present the Russian army is one of the principle the co-operation between During their talks in Sochi, in the relevant Presidential doc- most powerful in the world, Aleksandr Lukashenko the districts and republics the two leaders discussed the uments. with the most modern weap- pointed out that some people in the Russian Federation so-called roadmaps. Aleksandr Aleksandr Lukashenko ons. Accordingly, joint projects still criticise Belarus for its itself.” Lukashenko explained that the stressed, should be built so that ‘our guys majority are ready and can be can learn the most advanced MEETING RESULTS signed right now. However, “Therefore, if they want methods of warfare, defence The Head of the International it’s essential to address some to reproach us for begging and so on’. Co-operation with BELTA Military Co-operation Depart- remaining issues. For example, for money again, it’s not Russia should be developed in ment, Aide to the Defence the parties have long discussed true. Thank God, we are do- all areas: from armoured vehi- Minister for International Mili- the possible approximation of ing well amid all the difficul- cles to aircraft. tary Co-operation, Oleg Voinov, the tax systems. The presidents ties caused by the pandemic “This direction was enthusi- talked to journalists after the The Minsk Times agreed to return to the issue; spe- and the closure of borders, astically supported by President meeting. He commented on the Thursday cialists will negotiate it later. we have enough resources.” Putin,” Aleksandr Lukashenko co-operation of Belarusian and March 11 added. Russian defence agencies. 2021 We are stronger together The only proposal of the “Russia is a strategic ally for Belarus; The Head of State considers Belarusian side in the financial Information space this also applies to the military sphere. For the first time, all further actions in the econo- sphere at the talks in Sochi con- During the meeting, close at- we’ve signed a 5-year strategic partnership programme be- my should be carefully planned. cerned the possible participation tention was paid to the socio-po- tween the defence ministries of Belarus and Russia. This will It’s not for nothing that, during of Gazprom in the construction litical situation in each country. enable us to clearly build a perspective and develop our the talks between Aleksandr of a new nitrogen production fa- “Of course, we were rocked and co-operation with the Russian Federation,” Mr. Voinov said. Lukashenko and Vladimir Pu- cility in our country. The Corpo- they are being rocked.