Lukashenko on Union State: unique world experience accumulated
The President of Belarus, Chairman of the Supreme State Council Aleksandr Lukashenko, opened a meeting of the Supreme State Council in Minsk today, December 6th. Welcoming the Russian delegation, the Head of State noted that the meeting was taking place on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Union State Treaty.
“Today we can state with confidence that, in 1999, our intentions turned out to be correct: it is within the union of our two states that we have been able to fully realise the accumulated experience and potential on the principles of mutual trust and partnership,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The Head of State noted, “The established bilateral relations demonstrate the powerful force of mutual attraction, which is based on a common language and scientific and technical school, similar mentality and cultural traditions, and our common history. A unique global experience has been created: two countries – two economies – one economic space. This experience has been time-tested and proved its worth. In the face of unprecedented sanctions pressure, the basic sectors of the economy have been preserved, the financial system has not been disrupted, unemployment is at the lowest level, incomes and savings of citizens are growing. We have not just stood our ground: we have become stronger.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko voiced some figures that speak for themselves, “In comparison with 1999, the GDP of our countries has grown significantly: almost 2.5-fold in Belarus and in Russia. Our bilateral trade turnover is also steadily increasing. Last year, it made almost $55bn, and it is expected to reach $60b in 2024, if the current growth rates are maintained.”
At the same time, the President noted that it is necessary to all time check whether everything has been done to ensure that such progress is constant and not subject to any fluctuations.
“In order to cope with all new challenges, co-ordinated and responsible work of governments and all sectors of the economy is needed,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “Indeed, due to the peculiarities of the current situation, we have to solve fundamentally new tasks. The members of the governments of Belarus and Russia will elaborate on the issues of rapid response in their reports.”
