Dear colleagues, dear veterans!
I congratulate you on the most important holiday for the entire Belarusian people − Independence Day.

For 79 years now, he has united us with the sacred memory of the feat of arms of our people during the Great Patriotic War.

The date of July 3 has entered the history of our country as a bright page of the heroic valor of front-line soldiers and home front workers, partisans and underground workers who won freedom for their people, defended the independence of the Motherland. Among those who took part in the liberation of Belarusian towns and villages from the Nazis, there were many employees of the Academy of Sciences. I would like to say a separate word of gratitude to all the veterans who devoted themselves to scientific work in those years. The research of scientists in the pre-war and war years made it possible to develop advanced technology and establish its mass production, with their active participation, it was possible to transfer industry to military rails in a short time. As well as medical scientists provided successful treatment of the wounded in the field. And today their children and grandchildren work in the organizations of the NAS of Belarus. Our contemporaries worthily continue the traditions of the immortal feat of the Liberator generation, and confidently look to the future.

The Republic of Belarus is developing dynamically, is a democratic, sovereign state with a stable economy and advanced technologies. Unfortunately, today our state is being subjected to brutal external pressure from various destructive forces. An important condition for a successful fight against them is the unity of our people, which is based on love for their homeland. And patriotism. And, as you know, it is an eternal value that connects the past, present and future of the people.

Today, many falsifications are being fabricated, according to which the occupiers and aggressors are presented almost as liberators. But our historians have convincingly proved that the Second World War was waged to destroy the Soviet people, including the Belarusian. As long as we do not forget and actively defend historical facts, as long as we thank war veterans for their courage, our country and the whole progressive world will also remember this.

In the Year of Peace and Creation, the date of July 3 is filled with a new meaning. This holiday is not only a reminder of the difficult path to freedom and independence that Belarusians have passed together with other fraternal peoples, but also a reliable basis for moving forward. The national interests, greatness and dignity of every citizen are in the awareness of inseparable unity with the fate of their country, in solidarity, in the understanding of work for the good of the Motherland and their society as a factor of personal happiness.

Republic Day is a joyful holiday, a symbol of devotion to the Motherland, hope and optimism. We must preserve the most valuable thing that was won in '44 - peace, freedom and Independence of our country.

I sincerely wish you all good health, peace and prosperity.
Happy holidays to you, dear veterans and colleagues!