Opinions & Interviews

PM: Moldovan authorities will continue to support business projects with Belarus
The prime minister expressed confidence that the business forum will lead to concrete results. “We, as representatives of the authorities, are present here to understand where the problems are and what needs to be done to remove barriers, to build bridges," he said...

Digital economy ordinance to revolutionize Belarus
"It envisages things, which are revolutionary not only for Belarus but for our neighbors. In some areas and in legislation Belarus may even get ahead of many developed nations, which we often view as examples of technological advancement"...

Belarus’ experience in energy efficiency praised as useful for EAEU
“Energy efficiency is under serious consideration in the EAEU. Relevant technical regulations are in the works. Belarus insists on such a level of requirements that we are introducing in our country. It is reasonable to use our experience”...

Legislation on digital economy in Belarus expected soon
First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vasily Matyushevsky said after the government conference held by the head of state. “We expect the document to be signed this week”...

Belarus, EU ready to start talks on framework agreement
“Commissioner Johannes Hahn announced the readiness to start discussing the future agreement on partnership and cooperation when he met with our prime minister at the Belarusian-European Investment Forum in Luxembourg. This is a good sign”...

Opinion: Belarusian light industry products are competitive on the market
"We are among the best linen producers, which has already been recognized worldwide. We have great footwear Belwest, Marko, both in price and quality. Today, the products of Kamvol are at a high level. Turkey buy our worsted cloth and sell it to Europe"...

NATO underlines Belarus’ constructive role in regional security
Andrei Rusakovich pointed out that thanks to unique relations with Russia and the advancing partnership with European and Euro-Atlantic structures Belarus can make a tangible contribution to stability on the European continent...

Belarusian foreign minister mentions 90-day visa-free travel program as future possibility
The official reminded that Belarus had signed a number of agreements on visa-free stay for 30 days. In particular, Belarus has signed such agreements with Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and some other countries...

Belarus to work out proposals on restoring peace in Ukraine
“We would not like the conflict to stay on hold — like the conflicts in Transdniestria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and some other places. It is absolutely not in our interest, not in the interest of Belarus because for us Ukraine is a trade and economic partner of huge importance"...

Belarus, NATO regularly exchange army exercise observation missions
“For instance, NATO observers were present during the Zapad 2017 army exercise this year. Belarusian specialists had an opportunity to observe our exercises in 2015. I hope that Belarusians will observe the forthcoming NATO exercise in Norway in 2018”...

Belarusians, Russians promised equal rights to labor, education in Union State
"We will have to enable equal rights of Russians and Belarusians to employment and education. Today we’ve talked about the possibility of equalizing conditions for healthcare services, about additional opportunities for acquiring medical services in Russia and Belarus"...

Belarus ready to extend every possible assistance to population in conflict zone in Ukraine
"Belarus is also ready to extend every possible assistance to help improve the situation of the civil population in the conflict zone, including humanitarian assistance for both the sides of the conflict line"...

Belarus plans to extend visa-free program to 10 days in 2018
When talking about visa liberalization, Alexander Ganevich voiced the plans to extend the visa-free stay to 10 days for those arriving in Belarus via the Minsk National Airport, to 30 days for the duration of the 2019 European Games...

Lukashenko encourages competition due to open Belarusian economy
The president emphasized that the Belarusian economy is export-oriented. “We sell more than we consume. This is why we have to act carefully. Make quality fabric. We will sort things out later,” he added...

Lukashenko encourages Russian athletes to show Russia's greatness as sport country in Pyeongchang
“I think Russia will survive this. They need to go and show that they are a great sporting power. And then everything will be clear to everyone. Not going and placing last… You know what opinion this will create. So everything is in the hands of athletes. Clean athletes should go and prove their worth. All sorts of arguments, reasonings and all this staff will die away and emotions will go away"...

Upgraded Belarusian worsted fabric factory told to increase output
“A good manufacturing facility has been created. Maybe you and I will be pleased with it. But that’s for the next year. I think that by the end of the year you will manage to reach the pace and the volumes we intended to reach in two years — 6 million running meters of fabric. But 6 million is not the limit even for this factory"...

Belarus’ budget surplus projected at Br730m in 2018
“The draft budget projects the surplus at Br730 million. This is 0.6%-0.7% of GDP,” Vladimir Amarin noted. The surplus will be used to repay the state debt...

MP: Belarus has a big potential to promote its cultural heritage overseas
“In fact, the image is transferred into real investments and projects. In the context of struggle for resources and markets, we must pay attention to advancing the image of Belarus as a country with ancient history and statehood traditions”...

UNECE to develop Belarus’ Country Profile on Housing and Land Management by 2019
The project to strengthen the potential of the Belarusian government in sustainable housing and land management was approved in September 2017. The project should be implemented within a year...

Increased activity of political parties in early stages of local elections in Belarus
According to Lidia Yermoshina, 4 December marked the completion of an important phase of the current campaign, namely the establishment of the constituency election commissions for the election to the oblast local councils of deputies and nine district commissions for the elections to the Minsk city council of deputies...