Golovchenko: Belarus and Russia need to act jointly and swiftly
Belarus reckons upon Russia's support in modern difficult times – as stated by Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko as he met with Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow
“We confirm [an intention] to implement all agreements related to economic integration within the Union State. However, under the current conditions and due to the changing situation, there is an urgent need for the prompt implementation of support measures that were scheduled for the later,” Mr. Golovchenko said.
Belarus’ Prime Minister noted that restructuring of a credit debt on state loans of the Government and financial institutions of Russia is in focus. “This is a transition to a new pricing system for the supplied Russian oil that would ensure stable operation of Belarusian refineries with minimal profitability. Our proposals include to fix natural gas prices for Belarus in Russian Roubles tailored to the acting wholesale gas prices at the neighbouring Russian regions, and also to increase supplies of Belarusian machine-building products to the Russian market, including through the removal of the remaining administrative restrictions,” he explained.
Mr. Golovchenko considers it important to participate in the implementation of import substitution programmes and, according to him, relevant ministries need to work to maximise the use of mutual potential in this field, “The full-fledged participation of the defence sector of Belarus’ economy in the implementation of Russia’s state defence order is in focus, as well as the removal of administrative barriers in the field of military-technical co-operation. We have not discussed this sphere in detail but I consider it needs attention.”
The Prime Minister added that, in recent times, Belarus has been hit by the western sanctions imposed allegedly due to complicity in a Russian military operation in Ukraine. As he stressed, an embargo had been imposed on supplies of almost all export-oriented sectors of the country's economy.
“We are working on refocusing some of our exports to other markets. The purpose of all sanctions is to cause a crisis in the economy and undermine the current government. With this in mind, we need to act jointly and swiftly,” Mr. Golovchenko noted.
