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It would be good if share of rural residents remained at 30 percent, Lukashenka says

It would be good if the share of rural residents in the country's population remained at 30 percent, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on Monday while staying in the Cherykaw district, Mahilyow region, according to the presidential press office, as quoted by BelaPAN.

"I would like to maintain this 30 percent of rural population. We must preserve the village. This is our main goal," Mr. Lukashenka said, acknowledging that rural residents account for six percent of the world's population.

Belarus should make its agriculture more competitive, he said. "Russia will go forward," Mr. Lukashenka said. "It has more resources and enough money. It's now following us and borrowing our experience. We shouldn't fall behind. We should come one or half a step ahead of them in this race."  All presidential orders regarding land management and agricultural issues should be strictly executed, the Belarusian leader stressed.