The Belarusian People's Congress as an instrument of the direct rule of the people plays an important role in the life of the country, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting held on 28 December to discuss the preparations for the 6th Belarusian People's Congress, BelTA informs.

According to the head of state, the 6th Belarusian People's Congress will be a key forum of the five-year period. “But since big things are better seen from afar, before long we will, probably, understand that this is the most important forum in the history of our nation. Against the backdrop of the moment that the country is facing right now,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian People's Congress is scheduled for the first half of February. The national and regional organizing committees have already started their work. The selection of delegates will start tomorrow. “These should be the people representing all layers and groups of the population, the entire Belarusian nation. It has been like that since 1996 when we held the 1st Belarusian People's Congress,” the president stressed.

“Back then it was not easy either. You remember that confrontation was building up, but we managed to unite people and to use the energy of the society for the benefit of the country. Frankly speaking, the 1st Belarusian People's Congress was meant to save the situation at the time, to protect the country. This was its historical role and meaning,” the head of state said. “This instrument of the direct rule of people played an important role.”