OREANDA-NEWS. July 23, 2008. Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko conferred an Order of the People’s Friendship on President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez.

According to the Belarusian leader, this award is a token of recognition by Belarus of special services of the President of Venezuela in strengthening the friendly relations between the two states. The award ceremony was held in the Simon Bolivar Park in Minsk.

Alexander Lukashenko and Hugo Chavez laid flowers at the memorial plaque in honour of the national hero of Venezuela.

The Belarusian leader said that today Belarus has been implementing large-scale multi-billion projects in Venezuela, from oil production to construction of new modern plants. The President of Belarus took note of a big personal contribution of Hugo Chavez in these projects.

“Belarusians know well about such faraway but close for us country as Venezuela,” Alexander Lukashenko said. He thanked the President of Venezuela for inviting Belarusian specialists to take part in the implementation of the plans on ensuring the independence of the Bolivarian Republic.

The President of Belarus also informed that a decision was taken to replace the memorial plaque with a Simon Bolivar bust on plinth. The Belarusian side will welcome the participation of a Venezuelan sculptor in creating a monument to Simon Bolivar whose 225th anniversary of birth will be celebrated on July 24.