OREANDA-NEWS. February 19, 2008.  “I see my country as a stable state where 13 million people not 10 million will be living in ten years. But we need the population of 25-30 million on this land, and it will be then that we will be fully independent and sovereign. I would like to see more people live here. I would like Belarus to become a rich country, be a country with a young face, with more young people,” Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview to Russia Today TV channel.

“What future does the president-patriot loving his country want for his country? The same as you want for your family. This is my family and I want that everything be well in our country. I want us to create no problems for our neighbours – neither for Russia, Poland Baltics or Ukraine. I want the country to remain as it is; that it is proud, self-sufficient and independent,” the head of state said.