Dear Mr. Chairman !
Dear Colleagues !
Ladies and Gentlemen !

For me, it is a great honour to address your distinguished Assembly and to forward the best wishes of the Swiss people and Parliament.

Last February, Chairman Shuskevitch came to attend to Davos forum and took this opportunity of visiting Berne, the capital of Switzerland.

My colleague, the Chairwoman of the Council of States and myself were happy to welcome him and to get more familiar with Belarus and its problems. Chairman Shuskevitch kindly invited us to Minsk. A direct line has been opened 10 days ago by Swissair. So we are now close. Three hours flight !

The collapse of communism has mad possible for the Nations of the former Soviet Union to regain their national identity. You have reintroduced the white Russian language. Your national flag white-red-white flies again. Switzerland has recognised your sovereignty on December 23 rd 1991.

You can be proud of your glorious past during centuries although you were occupied by some neighbours. I know the big sacrifices your endured during World War II for the cause of liberty.

I also realise how badly the Chernobyl disaster affected a great part of Belarus after 1986.

But now, a new page of your history has begun with your full independence and the establishment in Minsk of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

I think you were right to maintain existing links with former Soviet republics and important economic partners but on the basis of new relations among equal partners.

We now share common values:

 • human rights
 • Christian heritage.

You have taken the first steps leading to market economy.

Introducing a market economy is a difficult task. It will not be possible without reforms. You are in the best position to decide the rhythm of the reforms. I would like to stress the direct link between free economy and democracy.

You have had your first democratic election in 1990 and we know that some citizens would like to have new ones soon and that they are now planned for 1994.

I hope that the different political parties can be strengthened in order to place fully their role in pluralistic and democratic elections.

Switzerland wants to help the changes in Eastern Europe and our Parliament has accepted different credits and loans to achieve this goal.

Our aim is to promote democracy and States based on the rule of law,

 • to favour an economic and social evolution respecting environment and in conformity with market economy,
 • to increase exchanges in scientific, training and cultural fields and
 • to settle differences by means of arbitration.

Stability in the CIS countries is decisive for the security of our continent. This goal can only be achieved in the Western countries give their support to the CIS.

But your own decisions are also important for Western investors because the most effective co-operation will be decided by private firms and not only by Governments.

This morning, I visited the very impressive production group "Beloruskali" at Soligorsk and was informed about the difficult economic conditions that affect 17'000 workers.

You have now the chance of creating a fully new independent State with a new constitution, new laws, to build a new democratic order. It won't be easy and the way will be paved with difficulties but never lack courage. Have faith in the great future of Belarus.

The Swiss Parliament and the people of Switzerland wish the Parliament of Belarus the greatest success in the building of your new state. We hope you will be able to create a fairer society for the Belarussian people under the experienced leadership of President Stanislav Shuskevitch.

Long live the friendship between the Swiss Confederation and the Belarussian Republic and best wishes to each of you individually.

Thank you Mr. Chairman !