DUSHANBE, 18.11.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – On September 17, Belarus for the first time celebrated the Day of National Unity, a holiday of the solidarity of the Belarusian people.

The holiday refers to the events of 1939, when Belarus returned its western lands. The new public holiday was approved by a presidential decree earlier this June and will be celebrated annually.

Festive events were held throughout Belarus. In Minsk, the culmination was the forum of patriotic forces “Symbol of Unity” at the Minsk-Arena. President Alexander Lukashenko celebrated the holiday together with Belarusians.

During his speech Lukashenko’s also spoke about Tajikistan. “I have just arrived from the friendly Tajikistan, -an incredibly beautiful country! Unfortunately, only 4-5% [of the land is arable and inhabitable]. [The country has] about ten million people, — a rapidly growing population. Everything else is [made up of] mountains. Flying again to Dushanbe, I was amazed at how people work there. Every piece [of land] is well-groomed, every piece! Because people’s existence depends on it,” said Lukashenko.

“Afghanistan has exploded once again. One thousand four hundred kilometers [of the border], like we have with Ukraine, Tajikistan shares with Afghanistan. The country, which was ravaged by a civil war two decades ago, has only [recently] begun to rise with the [leadership of] my friend Emomali Rahmon. People have began to receive enough electricity only last year. Life is the hardest. But people are overcoming it,” he added.

In this regard, Lukashenko called on Belarusians to work hard for the good of their Motherland and to take care of what they have. “If we lose everything that we have, trouble will be inevitable!” he noted.

On September 17, Lukashenko took part in the CSTO Summit presided by President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe, and on the same day, returning to Belarus, he took part in the forum devoted to the Day of National Unity of Belarus.