News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) – Belarus’ accession to the WTO should not be an end in itself, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss the cooperation with the World Trade Organization, BelTA has learned.

“On the one hand, it is clear that Belarus should integrate into the world trading system as our economy is export-oriented and the country’s welfare depends in many ways on the external market conditions,” the head of state said. “But the entry into the WTO should not become an end in itself for us. Observing the national interests during the negotiations is the key principle,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President asked the meeting participants to give specific arguments both in favor of and against Belarus’ accession to the WTO.

The head of state also asked whether Belarusian producers will be able to operate under the WTO terms, i.e. when the majority of the existing non-tariff regulation measures and state support are canceled.

The President also inquired about what else needs to be done at the government level to protect the country’s economic interests if Belarus enters the WTO.

Belarus has been negotiating with the WTO for more than fifteen years. “Probably we should already have answers to all the questions,” he added.