Belarusian nuclear power plant's inauguration seen as gift to nation ahead of 7 November

The completion of construction and the final opening of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant is one of the gifts to the people for the October Revolution Day, celebrated on November 7. The head of state announced this at a meeting with representatives of the labor collective and builders of the Belarusian NPP, social infrastructure workers and residents of Ostrovets, BelTA reports.

The head of state noted that at one time, when establishing state holidays, it was decided to keep October Revolution Day in the calendar of festive dates. But Alexander Lukashenko advocated for filling it with some meaning. In Soviet times, people received gifts for such holidays – significant facilities were commissioned: "The people actually gave gifts to themselves. Well, I say: we will – the bosses, officials – together with the people, we will create, build something. And then the bosses will give gifts to the people."

Thus, this tradition has been preserved in sovereign Belarus. "I won't say that it has taken root 100% yet, but people are getting used to it. You have probably noticed (we widely cover this in the media) that we try to commission some facilities for these holidays," the Belarusian leader noted.

Given that Alexander Lukashenko was personally the initiator of the construction of the Belarusian NPP at one time, he came to the Ostrovets district for the final opening of the plant to present this gift to the people. He emphasized that this is an absolutely clean technology – the most modern and safe station. "This is a normal facility. I wouldn't say it's more dangerous than others. But it must be operated responsibly," the President said.

The Head of State noted that the construction of the Belarusian NPP, among other things, helped "breathe life into this northwestern region." The President recalled that in previous years, Grodno officials mainly focused on territories around Grodno. "Everything was there – harvests, sown areas. Well done, they worked well. And when appointing Vladimir Stepanovich Karanik (as head of the Grodno region. – Approx. BELTA), I said: I really ask you to look further than Grodno, so that other districts can develop. They are doing great with Karayev, my aide – they are covering the whole region. And I see that development is underway. And when flying to the nuclear power plant, I was generally delighted and amazed. Well, I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else, not even in the West – every patch is immaculate, beautifully sown, cultivated. They know how to welcome the President," Alexander Lukashenko said with a touch of humor. "But further away – not so much. I see that too. But well done. This means they know how to do it. And around Grodno, of course, there are very strong districts, they work well, I have no complaints about them, because they earn money themselves."

But the most important thing is the Belarusian NPP. It is the foundation for the further development of the country. "I understood that there is no prospect without clean energy, without electricity we cannot develop," the President said.

For example, recently in Novaya Okolitsa near Minsk, the Head of State was shown a village under construction where electricity is used for heating. "This is space-age technology. A small convector is installed, very convenient," said Alexander Lukashenko.

Currently, significant work is being carried out at the state level to develop power grids to provide everyone with the opportunity to use electricity for heating needs.

Electricity is also needed for the development of electric transport nowadays. Alexander Lukashenko said that the Deputy Prime Minister had promised to surprise him the day before. "I said: have they really made an electric car? – Well, you'll come, and we'll show you. So let's wait. He said in the near future, in December. But I know that they are making their own electric car. It will have a body like a Geely. It's good, people like it. Electric buses and so on, electric trams – we already have them, they are bought from us all over the world," the Head of State noted.

Continuing the topic, the Head of State noted that in Belarus, including in cooperation with Russia, the field of space technologies is also being developed. Domestic enterprises and specialists are developing satellites, helping to build space rockets, and this is another new direction alongside the peaceful atom. In the same vein is the production of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation, the analogues of which exist in only a few countries around the world.

Summing up, Alexander Lukashenko recalled that even critics of the Belarusian NPP in Lithuania regret that they closed their own NPP at one time. And now nuclear energy is recognized as clean and green. For example, Poland plans to build two nuclear power plants. "We built it (the Belarusian NPP. - Editorial note of BELTA). It's a good station. This is the future. Naturally, this region will always be in the spotlight. It will develop," said the Head of State.

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