“Dear Ambassador Doroszewska,
Ambassador Beshta,
Dear friends,
Let me congratulate all our Polish friends on the occasion of Poland’s national holiday – Constitution Day. I wish the people of Poland Continued benefits from freedom, democracy, and – last but not least in our days – lasting peace.
We in Belarus are proud that our ancestors were among those who adopted the first written democratic constitution in Europe.
The Constitution of May 3 is not only our common historical heritage. It serves as our common ground for actual value-based political choices. Each anniversary of its adoption reminds us of the core values which our ancestors stood for.
It reminds us of equal rights to all estates of the society.
It makes sure that the powers should be separated.
And last but not least that it is not the monarch, but the people themselves are the guarantors of sovereignty of the state.
And what is especially important for me ladies and gentlemen, the constitution of 3 of May reminds us that every citizen of the country is obliged to defend its freedom.
This point became especially relevant for the people of Belarus. The state independence under the dictatorship is fragile. The fate of the country cannot be the hostage of a tyrant's will.
The ideas of freedom and sovereignty on the brave rebels’ flags, including our national hero Kastus Kalinouski, continued the Constitution of May 3 ideas. By the way, today many Belarusians observe Radaunica – a traditional day of commemoration of the departed – and among them we also remind their memories.
Let me stress once again: Belarus was an inseparable part of the historical process of our region’s liberation. The values, formulated in the paragraphs of the binding document inspired the active part of Belarusian society during centuries.
We as their successors feel this continuity and regard Belarus as part of Central Eastern European historical and cultural space. As part of European civilization. The free, democratic, independent Belarus should be the key element for future secure space between Baltic and Black seas.
The place of future free Belarus undoubtedly is in the Lublin quadrangle and in the family of European Nations as the continuation of the 3 May Constitution ideas.
Thank you!”
