"Independence Day is one of our brightest holidays," he noted. "To think for oneself, to make decisions independently, and to do everything to make our country better, regardless of who threatens us from the outside – this is independence."

The head of the northern region congratulated the residents and guests of Vitebsk on the holiday, wishing everyone good health, happiness, well-being, high spirits, and kindness, and the country – prosperity. He emphasized that the date of July 3 holds a lot of personal meaning, experiences, and is dear to every Belarusian, as the Soviet people endured severe and greatest trials during the Great Patriotic War. "Colossal courage was required from our grandfathers and great-grandfathers to defend independence and identity. Our people bravely repelled the invaders' attacks, shedding blood on the fronts, in partisan detachments, and underground cells. We have no right to forget those who gave us freedom," said Alexander Subbotin at the rally.

The cornerstone is a peace-loving, multi-vector policy and mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, emphasized the head of the regional executive committee. Thanks to this, the region is gaining new partners in different countries and exploring new markets. "Certain foreign forces are trying to lecture us, to force us to submit to their rules, to abandon our values. At the same time, they use the dirtiest methods. We see that there is a struggle in the world, and it is a tough struggle. The planet is heating up with new hotbeds of conflict, but we have been given the mission to preserve the peace won by the millions of lives of our heroes, to lend a shoulder in difficult times, including to our neighbors," he noted.

Alexander Subbotin drew attention to the fact that aggression has never originated and will not originate from the Belarusian land, but the state can defend itself if necessary. True sovereignty of any country is possible only if its people are united by a common spiritual impulse – the desire to make their country prosperous. A state with a people who know and honor their roots, cherish and multiply the good reputation of their native land, is invincible, emphasized the chairman of the regional executive committee.-0-

"BELTA"