The year has begun and the Government is doing its best to make the economy a true engine of progress towards new targets and achievements. Perhaps this sounds like an exaggeration, but it is true.Progress is impossible without hard work and efficiency. This is especially vital post-crisis, which is always a very painful time. However, long-run objectives have not been forgotten. One of these is for Belarus to become more firmly integrated into the global economic system. In this effort, our interests coincide with those of the other members of the Customs Union — Russia and Kazakhstan. Economic relations with the rest of Europe have always been a goal, as has the desire to join the World Trade Organisation. These are the components of a single co-ordinated process and its importance is emphasised in the article, De-Facto Integration.
Much, if not everything, is built on mutual interests in the modern economy. They are the new dialectics. A prime example is the agreements on the assembly of Belarusian trams in Switzerland. The domestic producer tries to work with western companies to apply the most advanced technical processes to its operations; this, of course, is praise-worthy.
Politics also relies on mutual interests. Opportunities for co-operation expand if partners have no fundamental disagreements and when an organisational structure is developed for co-ordinated decision-making on political problems. This year, Belarus chairs the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) at quite a momentous time, when the topic of reform has become particularly urgent. CSTO Opens Security Umbrella describes the solutions to the most vital problems facing this regional organisation. However, the author of the article concludes that Belarus has already begun to actively reform the CSTO with the support of other CSTO members and we can boldly forecast that by the end of Belarus’ chairmanship the organisation is certain to have become stronger.
Smart and peaceful policies and building the economy always bring benefits to the people. If people begin to have better lives, it means that the symbiosis of political measures and economic stimuli has worked well. It is pleasant to consider how far we have come. We can still remember a time when we had to stand in queues to buy things. Now, we read that Belarusian Railways has already launched Internet ticket sales. By clicking on a computer at home or in the office, you can easily buy a ticket.
By 2015, twenty more hypermarkets will have been constructed in Minsk, simplifying life a great deal. Moreover, online Internet reservations at Belarusian hotels from any corner of the world will soon be available. In fact, according to the author of Touristic know-how, hotel rooms in the Belarusian capital can already be booked online. Very soon, we will be able to choose the cheapest and the most comfortable room online. All the hotels in the country will be consolidated in a single database. The creation of a national online booking system for tours and excursions is being created at the same time.
In one word, the country is becoming very convenient for its citizens and for its guests. Feeling at home when visiting another country is a very strong indicator of hospitality, something that Belarus is able to offer. Our Republic also invites people to relax, admire our monuments and get acquainted with our cultural heritage, as explored in the article, Pearl in the Centre of Europe. As Belarusians usually say: ‘You are welcome!’
BY Viktor Kharkov,magazine editor
Беларусь. Belarus
