On May 21, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. The Belarusian people have earned the right to be called "people" and to live on their own land. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on May 21 at the ceremony of awarding state awards to distinguished people of the country, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. "You receive honorary titles, orders and medals for outstanding merits to the Motherland and the people. This is an incentive for even greater success in the future," said the head of state. "I am convinced that for any of us, the main goal is the well-being and prosperity of our native country, the happiness of our loved ones and confidence in the future. After all, we all work for this." As the President noted, the state is actively developing, and the economy, social, technological and production spheres are reaching new levels. "And together we are capable of achieving any heights, overcoming any difficulties," Alexander Lukashenko is confident. State awards were presented to employees of OJSC "Minsk Automobile Plant" of the production association "BelavtoMAZ". "This is one of the largest machine-building enterprises in the CIS. Its products are known far beyond Belarus, and demand for them is growing, and new markets are being developed. The figures speak for themselves. The foreign trade volume of 'BelavtoMAZ' in 2011 increased by almost 200%," noted the head of state. According to him, the components of this success are rational labor organization, thrifty use of resources, and the implementation of rationalization proposals. "The public recognition that you have rightfully earned should become a benchmark for our manufacturers. They should look up to you," emphasized the President. Among those awarded were also representatives of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus. "By fruitfully improving the legislative framework of our state, you actively contribute to solving a wide range of social problems. These include issues of labor discipline, employment, improvement of the healthcare system, protection of motherhood and childhood, and support for talented youth. Education, science, intensification of integration processes, and the development of international cooperation also remain within your scope of attention," said Alexander Lukashenko.