On October 22, Minsk / Alina Grishkevich - BELTA /. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the important role of youth and children's associations in the public life of the country, primarily the Belarusian Republican Youth Union and the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization. He focused on this during a meeting with participants of the All-Belarusian action "Question to the President," as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "You must understand, and this is a requirement of the times, that society needs not only good specialists but also patriots who would value their state and, after receiving an education, would not strive to run somewhere, perhaps for a fat paycheck, but would still work in Belarus," said the head of state. In this regard, he noted the significance of youth and children's public associations. "If our youth organization becomes as influential as the Komsomol once was, I think I will be a happy person, because I once had to initiate the revival of this youth organization. In general, I am personally proud of our youth, our growing generation, those guys who, for example, win international subject Olympiads," the President emphasized. According to him, in the last five years alone, 123 Belarusian schoolchildren have won medals at these Olympiads, including 15 gold medals. Alexander Lukashenko is proud of the children who have brought fame to the country at the children's "Eurovision." "After all, thanks to the merits of these young citizens, we are hosting such a prestigious competition in our country in a month." The Belarusian leader also said that he is proud of the young athletes who worthily defend the honour of Belarus, and all young Belarusians. -0-

BELTA