On September 8, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko received Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Igor Sergeenko for a report, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
First of all, the Head of State addressed words of gratitude to the deputies and personally to Igor Sergeenko for providing a snapshot of public sentiment through their interactions with people in various regions. "This is very important to me. After all, deputies are independent, objective people," the President said. "In a generalized form, these are various issues that their constituents raise with the deputies. This is very important to me. I have instructed the government today to thoroughly address each issue, take measures, and report back to you, the deputies. This work must continue; it is very important for the state and for me."
Alexander Lukashenko noted that people should be informed about this and other activities of the House of Representatives, including through the media. "The House of Representatives works quietly and calmly. But I see it. Well done for working with the people. This is the main thing for us. Nevertheless, everyone should know that we have a parliament that quietly and calmly attends to its business," said the Head of State.
Separately, the President thanked the Chairman of the House of Representatives and the parliamentarians as a whole for their work on the international stage in promoting the country's interests, including foreign economic ones. As an example of such work in a positive light, the Head of State cited Igor Sergeenko's recent visit to Vietnam, where discussions included opportunities for cooperation with BELAZ and Belshina. "This is precisely what is lacking today, even for members of the government. If you go on a business trip, you must bring something concrete back," the President emphasized. "Even if it's a small amount. But we must gradually enter the markets. This is a good example of a trip by a person who is supposedly not involved (by his position, he is not obliged to engage in trade and economic promotion. - BELTA's note). We have no people who are not involved in the economy (especially today), in foreign trade."
"You feel and know that this is the biggest problem in Belarus today – to replace the volume that we cannot sell today due to certain objective reasons in the Russian Federation, and we must work in this regard on the far-arc track," Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
In this regard, the Head of State emphasized the correctness of the course towards cooperation with Vietnam – a giant country with a vast market that is developing very powerfully. Moreover, the friendly ties established since the times of the Soviet Union (including during the period of presence of military specialists from Belarus and other republics of the USSR in Vietnam) and high-level contacts, good relations between the leaders of the two countries, create a good basis for interaction. "We met with the President (of Vietnam. - BELTA's note) in China. I have known him for a long time, he is a very strong, decent person. Moreover, both he and the country are focused on cooperation with us," the Belarusian leader noted. According to him, the issue of exchanging visits will be considered in the near future together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We are ready to invite and receive him here and the delegation at any time with pleasure. And we will ourselves consider the issues of visiting Vietnam. We must cooperate with this country," the President clarified.
One of the topics of conversation was the legislative activity of the House of Representatives and readiness for the upcoming session. Alexander Lukashenko inquired about the progress of work on draft laws, which fundamentally important, significant documents are in progress and will be considered at the upcoming session.
"Thank you for the parliament working calmly and quietly. Everyone has gotten into their stride," the President addressed Igor Sergeenko, who was elected Chairman of the House of Representatives in March 2024. "I don't know how you are there – settled in or not… For you, it's a new job, but an interesting one, although not easy, because a deputy is a figure in himself, he is elected by specific voters. I was a deputy, I know what it's like," the Head of State added.
Igor Sergeenko reported to the President on the preparations for the third session of the current convocation. Currently, there are 21 draft laws in the parliamentary portfolio. Some of them will be considered in the second reading, but the majority will be considered in the first reading. The Head of State was thoroughly briefed on the draft laws and the progress of their consideration in committees. The documents concern various issues, including defense capability, law enforcement, international activities, and there is also a significant socio-economic block.
The President emphasized the work of deputies in their electoral districts and updated this task. It is during communication with citizens on the ground that deputies receive a certain cross-section of information about the situation, which is subsequently reported to the Head of State.
International activities were also discussed. Emphasis is placed on expanding the presence of the National Assembly of Belarus in interstate parliamentary associations. "We have obtained observer status in the Pan-African Parliament and the Asian Parliamentary Assembly. We are preparing to obtain the same observer status, there is a corresponding invitation and confirmation, in the Arab Parliament," said Igor Sergeenko.
One of the important areas is the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of Belarus and Russia. "This includes work on model laws with an emphasis on leveling the rights of citizens of Belarus and Russia in various areas. It also includes holding events of a patriotic nature," noted the Chairman of the House of Representatives.
The next session of the House of Representatives will open on September 16. 18 draft laws are being prepared for consideration at the third session. Among the most important documents are the budget and tax package for 2026, draft new versions of the Water Code, laws concerning criminal and administrative liability, state registration and liquidation (termination of activities) of business entities, provision of loans, subsoil use, and energy saving. Deputies plan to develop a concept for a draft law "On Volunteer Activities."
Interparliamentary contacts are actively developing, which contribute to the promotion of Belarus's foreign policy and economic interests, and the effective implementation of interstate agreements reached at the highest and high levels. Visits to Belarus by parliamentary delegations from Algeria, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and the UAE are expected.
Deputies, while working in the regions of the country, hold meetings with work collectives and the public, direct telephone lines, and citizen consultations. A new form of work has become meetings between the leadership and regional delegations of the House of Representatives with the assets of all regions and Minsk. Some of the problems voiced in the appeals are being resolved through legislative means (for example, issues of real estate registration have been improved, the land amnesty has been extended, and additional mechanisms for the formation of citizens' pension rights have been created). The socio-political situation, the results of working with citizens' appeals, and people's opinions on the effectiveness of government bodies are studied on a systematic basis. In general, as the deputies believe, the situation on the ground is stable and under control, and the population supports the political course of the President of Belarus.
The House of Representatives regularly informs the government and ministries on problematic socio-economic issues. This concerned, in particular, land relations, rental housing, energy supply, the quality of mobile communication and the internet, and the operation of schools and hospitals. Monitoring of prices for socially significant goods, medicines, and medical supplies continues.