MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) – A reliable system of national security created in Belarus allows for timely response to any challenges and threats, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with senior officers of the Armed Forces and law enforcement bodies on 23 February to mark Day of Fatherland Defenders and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, BelTA has learned.

The head of state stressed that the country was celebrating one of its most respected holidays. According to the President, this day marks not only high tribute to our heroic history but also sincere gratitude to the people who sacrificed their lives to the Motherland’s protection. Selfless military service has always stood high. That is why Day of Fatherland Defenders is by right a nationwide holiday.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, on the 70th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis it is worth stressing that the whole nation rose to protect their land in that struggle against the aggressor. Of course, the major strike of the enemy was faced by men in uniform who showed the example of supreme valor and courage, firmness of morale and devotion to the Motherland. The Soviet Army which lines included hundreds of thousands of Belarusians broke the fascist horde and brought the victory not only to Belarus but also to the entire Europe.

According to the President, the Belarusian courageous people who came through all the toils of war and occupation with their heads high remained unbowed and proved they would never live in slavery. «This testament of the generation of winners for us is a fundamental guide for action and the main motto for creation, protection and development of our sovereign state,» the Belarusian leader said.

«I have said it many times and would like to stress it once again today. We are building a peaceful independent state for our people never to be under one’s lash. This is my main goal as the head of state. An important factor in its achievement is the well-prepared Armed Forces, capable law enforcement agencies called up to secure the country’s defensive capacity, social and political stability in the society,» Alexander Lukashenko underlined.

«We live in a rapidly changing world. On an incredibly regular basis hotbeds of tension spark here and there. We should not drop guard. We must learn on others’ mistakes and do not allow even smallest manifestations of instability in our country. There are a lot of examples of it, including continuous «revolutions» in the Muslim world and occasionally emerging unrests in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States,» the head of state noted. In his words, the situation in the neighboring Ukraine, which became an arena of clashes between powerful external and domestic forces, is quite illustrative.