Lukashenko wishes Happy New Year to Belarusians

Dear compatriots!

The 2019 year is slowly but surely turning into the year of 2020. Everything that this year will be remembered for - amazing events, bold aspirations and dreams, unrealized plans - will find its continuation literally tomorrow. This consistent movement is the key to the stability and prosperity of our young independent state.

The outgoing year was marked by the 75th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation - an event symbolizing the life and freedom of our people. Next year we will celebrate 75 years of the Great Victory, the victory of the great Soviet people over Nazism.

We are still impressed by the stunning sporting victories of the 2nd European Games, and tomorrow we will hold our breath again as our athletes compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The second year dedicated to the Native Land will smoothly translate into the third and final year of the three-year campaign. A lot has been done, but there is still a lot to be accomplished.

For millions of citizens inextricably linked to the land of their ancestors, 2020 will be the year of truth. Everyone must find their way to their homeland which inspires and empowers.

The recent parliamentary elections will be followed by the presidential polls that will be an even more intense and vibrant campaign in the country's political life. Together we will choose our destiny and determine the future of our sovereign Belarus.

Next year will mark the twentieth year of the third millennium.

Welcoming the new year, we can see how fast the time flies: not long ago we ushered in the new millennium, and did not notice how 20 years had passed.

The result of that creative period was the development of an independent sovereign state. We have done this for the first time in our history, in the history of the Belarusian nation that had to fight for its rights many times. The year 2020 will not be an exception.

This will be a year of hard work and trying times, victories and upsets. Just an ordinary life. That is how things are. The right to develop independently does not come easily.

The outgoing year has proved it. It was a difficult year for rural workers who had to deal with the previous years of poor crops, and they did well.

Our traditionally generous New Year feasts are the brightest evidence of this.

Our manufacturing industry has taken a step forward. The transport industry, communications, energy sector, science and many other important industries have been vigorously developing.

Belarus can be by right proud of achievements in healthcare and education, culture and sport.

And, of course, we are grateful to people in uniform for peace and accord in our country.

In the outgoing year, a lot was done to strengthen Belarus’ positions on the international arena.

And tomorrow Belarus will take over leadership in the economic and defense unions.

In short, next year every one of us will do our best for the further development and strengthening of the Belarusian nation, for the preservation of the major traits of identity and character of Belarusians.

Our people are famous for their hospitality, peacefulness, kindness and generosity.

Dear friends,

These days are a unique period spanning from Catholic Christmas to Orthodox Christmas when we, Christian believers, following the best traditions and commandments, invite representatives of all religious denominations to take part in this celebration of spirituality.

This is the time of the long-awaited winter holidays and fulfillment of the most cherished dreams, a time that our children are waiting for with special trepidation and hope.

Literally seconds are left until the New Year rings in. This moment really makes us feel part of one big family.

This moment helps us realize that all of us, Belarusians, are people of the same destiny. The destiny that we create with our own hands, relying on the spiritual values of our ancestors, continuing the traditions of our people, working for the benefit of our Fatherland.

Dear Belarusians!

Dear guests of our country!

Let 2020 be a year of successes and achievements, fulfillment of dreams and ambitious plans for the sake of peace and prosperity of our country!

Let love, happiness and well-being always reign in your families.

Happy New Year!