Events

MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – We would like to see all restrictions on cooperation of the EBRD with Belarus, in particular with regard to state-owned enterprises, removed, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Suma Chakrabarti in Minsk on 18 February, BelTA has learned.

"I would like to ask the EBRD to consider removing all restrictions on cooperation with Belarus, in particular with regard to state-owned enterprises, once they finish examining the situation in our country. I think the government will show you the state-owned enterprises and you will be able to decide for yourselves whether the Bank could cooperate with these enterprises on a wide range of matters,” said the Belarusian head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko underscored that the Belarusian government will guarantee the reliability of this cooperation.

The Belarusian President pointed to another issue. The funds allocated to Belarus by the EBRD come to Belarus through the subsidiaries of the Russian banks: BelVEB, BPS-Sberbank, Belgazprombank and others. "Today Russia is under sanctions, and if they are imposed on these banks, Belarus can lose the funding of your bank. This should not be allowed to happen. We need to find a way out of this situation,” said the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko underlined that the Belarusian side is ready to offer the options and consider the proposals of the EBRD to deepen the cooperation not only with Belarus but, perhaps, through Belarus with other states.

The Belarusian President thanked the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for cooperation, noting that Belarus received almost €1.650 billion from the Bank for investment projects. Alexander Lukashenko noted that a new strategy of cooperation between Belarus and the EBRD for 2016-2018 is under development.