International Monetary Fund proposals for co-operation being considered, notes Alexander Lukashenko on meeting Head of IMF Mission in Belarus, Peter Dohlman
Peter Dohlman
Mr. Lukashenko notes that he is familiar with IMF proposals regarding prospects for co-operation with Belarus. Of the future programme, he says, “Not a single provision is provoking rejection.” He believes that the proposals rely on objective economic and social laws.
“There is a formula of paying for services such as electricity, heat and transport, in full,” explains the Head of State. Mr. Lukashenko comments that terms are the main issue. “I don’t think there will be any strong misunderstanding regarding these terms, or terms in general,” the President underlines. “We want to fulfil the proposals we’ve worked out together as soon as possible.”
The Head of State notes with satisfaction that Belarus and the IMF are strictly fulfilling their agreement to elaborate the programme, which should serve as a foundation for collaboration. Mr. Lukashenko adds that he remembers meeting the IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, in New York, with successful results. The President admits that, after the meeting, he saw relations between Belarus and the International Monetary Fund in a different light.
Belarus has no intention of breaking from its socially-oriented strategy, as the President emphasised to Mr. Dohlman during their meeting. Mr. Lukashenko stressed that the social state scheme would continue regardless of IMF feelings. He mentioned, “We cannot leave a single child, a single elderly person, a single person with disabilities without assistance from the state. This is what the social state is all about. We can’t just push them aside.”
Mr. Lukashenko noted that all IMF proposals can be implemented in Belarus. “We’re ready to continue working in this direction,” commented the Head of State, adding that he hopes for no delays.
Mr. Dohlman thanked the President of Belarus for his openness at the meeting, which he sees as representative of the open and productive interaction between the IMF and Belarus. Mr. Dohlman noted that the IMF and Belarus share common goals with regard to building an effective and growing economy in Belarus. The IMF also pays close attention to social security and to aiding those in need.
By Alexander Pimenov
