Lukashenko: Former Soviet countries seek closer cooperation

Foreign delegations have arrived in Minsk to mark the 100th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Belarus. Among them are representatives of Russia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. “I am a lucky man as I have a good opportunity to meet with the best people in the field of law. I know that the leadership of the supreme courts have no poor professionals,” the head of state said greeting the heads of the courts. “I am sincerely glad that you have found time for this event. We appreciate it very much,” he added.

“Our countries cooperate closely in various areas, including within the international obligations under the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Union State, the Eurasian Economic Union. We actively develop our presence in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The life itself confirms the validity of the aspiration of the peoples of the former Soviet countries for closer cooperation. It is particularly relevant in the current difficult time,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president stressed that the post-Soviet countries are united in their desire to ensure law and order in their states, to protect the interests of citizens.

The Supreme Court of Belarus was set up according to the provision on the judicial system, adopted at the second session of the Central Executive Committee of the BSSR of the fourth convocation on 30 March 1923. The law came into force on 15 April. The provision on the judicial system laid the foundation for the status of the Supreme Court as the highest judicial instance.

Following the judicial and legal reform, Belarus introduced a unified system of courts of general jurisdiction headed by one supreme judicial body, the Supreme Court, in 2014. The system of courts of general jurisdiction is three-tiered and consists of 157 courts, including the Supreme Court, regional and Minsk city courts, regional and Minsk city economic courts, 142 district and city courts.