President signs decree on status of Belarusian cosmonaut

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a decree that establishes the status of the Belarusian cosmonaut, namely their rights and obligations. Thus the status of a cosmonaut shall be assigned to a citizen of the Republic of Belarus who has made a space flight and to their backup. In order to recognize the cosmonaut's services to the Motherland, the decree provides for a number of benefits and preferences, including job retention, medical care, pension provision, and state subsidies in housing construction. At the same time, a cosmonaut shall correspond to their high status, have a firm civic position, take an active part in the social and political life of the country, and adequately represent Belarus in the international arena.