The strong spiritual core of the people is the foundation of Belarusian statehood - A. Kosinets

July 3, Vitebsk / Sergei Kotovets - BELTA /. The strong spiritual core of the people is the foundation of Belarusian statehood, testifies to the strength and independence of a state where the elderly are respected, children are adored, and everything is done for the benefit of man. This was stated today by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, at a rally dedicated to the celebration of Belarus Independence Day, a BELTA correspondent reports. It is significant that the Independence Day celebrations are held in Vitebsk on Victory Square, which is a sacred historical and cultural site for all residents of the city, he emphasized. Every third resident of the region gave their life for the sake of the Great Victory. The Great Patriotic War destroyed more than half of the gross national product. The enemy, who treacherously attacked in 1941, expected to conquer the independent people overnight. But it was Belarus that turned into a real partisan land, where the occupiers could not set foot on many lands, and by the end of 1944, 144 partisan brigades and 80 detachments were operating here, ensuring the overall victory. The names of Pyotr Masherov, Vladimir Lobanok, Minay Shmyrev, and many other our countrymen are inscribed in golden letters in the country's history, the head of the region emphasized. The labor feat of our grandfathers and fathers, who restored their native Vitebsk region from ashes and ruins after the war, is no less significant. "Today we are building a sovereign independent state according to the Belarusian socio-economic development model, and the labor successes of recent years testify to the correctness of the chosen path," Alexander Kosinets emphasized. Vitebsk region also makes a significant contribution to the country's development, producing about 20% of Belarus's GDP. In 2009, the region ensured the highest development dynamics among the regions for 12 forecast indicators, and a similar situation is observed for the preliminary results of the first half of 2010. Thus, the growth rate of industrial goods production was ensured at the level of 115% at comparable prices, and the net profit of enterprises and organizations amounted to more than Br500 billion, which is twice as high as in the same period last year. Over the past 1.5 years, more than Br1 trillion has been invested in the development of Vitebsk alone from various sources. In total, more than 100 new industrial enterprises have been built in the region. All this is done in order to ensure a high quality of life for people, added the chairman of the regional executive committee. Alexander Kosinets congratulated all residents of the region on Independence Day, which is a symbol of the unity and cohesion of our people, and wished them health, happiness, and success in all endeavors for the benefit of the Fatherland. -0-