Lukashenko: Union State programmes were a necessity, being of applied significance
The Union State programmes of Belarus and Russia are of concrete and applied significance. Their implementation will enable to reduce the negative effect of illegitimate sanctions and to ensure the development of key economic sectors – as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during a meeting on Belarusian-Russian co-operation.
In particular, the Head of State stressed, “No one doubts now that these programmes, this strategic path were a necessity. The programmes have concrete and, most importantly, applied significance being designed to reduce the negative effect of illegitimate Western sanctions and to ensure the development of key economic sectors while deepening industrial interaction and implementing new import-substituting projects.”
Touching upon the topic of import substitution, the President drew attention to the aspect that until the sanctions were imposed, our partners did not know what the Belarusians were capable of. Some sceptics thought that our small country was specialising solely on food, “When the sanctions hit and we (first of all, Russians) had to look for a way out of some situations, they saw that Belarus is a high-tech country. It produces everything that is necessary for life. If it does not produce, then within two, three or six months it can manufacture this, as is seen on the example of the military-industrial complex and defence programmes...”
The Head of State added that the Government is reporting on the significant work done to form the legal framework for liaisons with Russia in the development of strategic programmes. In this regard, the Belarusian leader asked what the parties agreed on, how these agreements are being implemented, and what areas are stalling.
“It is important that this be voiced in the presence of the Russian delegation: calmly, without shouting and noise. If we are guilty of something, then we must openly say and admit this. If the Russian side has failed somewhere, we should also talk about it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
He also asked the participants of the meeting whether it is likely that the signed agreements will remove all obstacles in the way of Belarusian goods, and truly equal conditions will be created for business entities.
