Republic

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko bestowed an Order of Francysk Skaryna upon Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko in the Palace of Independence in Minsk on 5 March, BelTA has learned.

The presidential decree on presenting the award was signed back in spring 2019 in anticipation of Valentina Matviyenko's jubilee. She was awarded an Order of Francysk Skaryna for a considerable personal contribution to the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between Belarus and Russia.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: "I am happy you've come. I think [Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus] Natalya Kochanova has already told you that. We've been looking forward to your visit for a long time, getting ready to welcome you the best way we can."

A delegation of the upper chamber of the Russian parliament led by Valentina Matviyenko is in Belarus on an official visit on 5-6 March. While in Belarus members of the delegation are expected to meet with leaders of the Belarusian parliament and attend a session of the committee charged with organizing the 7th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. The forum will take place in Minsk and the oblast in autumn.

A ceremony of handing over a capsule with soil collected from graves of Soviet soldiers near the Russian city of Rzhev to the All Saints Memorial-Church as part of the international commemorative campaign "To the glory of common victory!" was held on 5 March. On 6 March Valentina Matviyenko and Natalya Kochanova are expected to visit the memorial complex Brest Hero Fortress where a meeting with Great Patriotic War veterans will take place.

BELARUSIAN NEWS