A. Lukashenko: the source of Belarus's sovereignty is the will of the people and respect for its heroic history

14:34:29 3/7 NO,RKO,RO,F,SAVI / 38 July 3, Minsk / Marta Astreyko - BELTA /. The source of Belarus's sovereignty is the will of the people and their respect for their heroic history. This was stated today by the head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, speaking at a parade in commemoration of Independence Day and the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, according to a BELTA correspondent. "It is deeply symbolic that it is on July 3 that we celebrate Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus. By doing so, we connect the concepts that are sacred to each of us - Freedom and Independence," the President emphasized. "By defining this date as the main state holiday, the Belarusian people have once again proven their wisdom. After all, the source of our sovereignty is not paper declarations. Not statements by so-called national leaders. But the will of the people, their respect for their heroic history. For the difficult, arduous, and unforgettable feat of millions of soldiers and officers, partisans and underground fighters, and civilians who defeated the brown plague." As Alexander Lukashenko emphasized, despite the fact that the Nazis managed to set foot on Belarusian soil, they could not bring the Belarusian people to their knees. Almost 1.5 million natives of the republic fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. The President of Belarus called the strategic offensive operation "Bagration" an example of military art and one of the brightest pages of the entire Second World War. Its successful implementation not only allowed the expulsion of the Nazis from Belarusian lands but also created conditions for the complete liberation of Europe. "We remember and are proud of the feat of the generation of Victors. Veterans of the Great Patriotic War were and remain the most respected and revered citizens of our country," stated Alexander Lukashenko. -0-