TIME FOR ACTUAL STEPS The focus is on preferences for attracting investments and launching new production facilities. The President's attention to the southeast of the Mogilev oblast remains undiminished. Almost all of these lands were affected by the Chernobyl disaster. This had a negative impact on the economy. To support the region, a number of decrees and programs were adopted. It is crucial to take the best from these programs into the new five-year period and avoid repeating past mistakes. As the President emphasized, it is essential to provide maximum specificity. VISIT UNDER BOMBS Twenty-seven years ago, in April 1999, Aleksandr Lukashenko became the only leader to fly to Belgrade while Yugoslavia was being carpet-bombed by NATO. Despite closed skies and the lack of security guarantees, the Belarusian leader flew to Belgrade to support the Serbian people. The press called it "a visit under NATO bombs." The Belarusian President visited sites that had been bombed and also visited hospital wards. Summing up his stay in Belgrade, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that these were difficult hours, which made one realize how important peace is. BELARUS-KAZAKHSTAN The Consulate General of Belarus was officially opened in Almaty. This is an important step in expanding Belarus' diplomatic presence in Central Asia. An Exchange Forum was also held in Almaty, where the parties signed several agreements on the supply of Belarusian products to Kazakhstan. These events marked the first official visit to Kazakhstan by the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs. DIALOGUE OF CULTURES Belarus continues to build and expand partnerships and cooperation with all parts of the world. Public diplomacy plays a vital role in this, with its mission to spread the truth about the country and Belarusians abroad. The Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries fulfills this function, among other things. This year, it celebrates its centenary. A celebratory event was held in Minsk. STRENGTHEN COOPERATION Industry, tourism, and cultural exchange. At a meeting between the head of the Russian city, Andrei Proshunin, and the mayor of Minsk, Vladimir Kukharev, prospects for cooperation between Minsk and Sochi were discussed. The guests were interested in equipment from the Minsk Motorcycle and Bicycle Plant, as well as products and technologies for the construction of residential buildings, municipal vehicles, and passenger cars. TALENT COMMUNITY The headquarters of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus hosted the Fifth National Athletes' Forum. It brought together a diverse array of distinguished speakers, from Hero of Belarus Darya Domracheva and Russian Olympic medalist Anastasia Fesikova to the head coach of the Belarusian national football team, Viktor Gancharenko. The forum was organized jointly with the Russian International Olympic University, an educational institution that helps build a strong athletic reserve for both countries and prepare athletes for life beyond sport. ✓ Подписывайтесь на канал: https://goo.gl/d4m86a Больше новостей на сайте — http://belarus24.by Наш телеграмм канал — https://t.me/belarus24 Следите за нами — https://www.facebook.com/belarus24channel Подписывайтесь — https://vk.com/belarus24 Читайте нас — https://twitter.com/Belarus_24 Ставьте классы — https://ok.ru/belarus24 Наши проекты: ⊳ Города Беларуси: http://bit.ly/2KzTFdb ⊳ Взгляд на Беларусь: http://bit.ly/31AQkAe ⊳ Беларусы: http://bit.ly/2Me1mYx ⊳ Эфир 24/7: https://bit.ly/3065L8z ⊳ Мода на культуру: https://bit.ly/3CIt7B1 ⊳ Палешукi: https://bit.ly/3dvycQd ⊳ События: http://bit.ly/2ORebtU