Opinions & Interviews

No budget cuts expected in Belarus-Russia Union State in 2018
"Much effort will be put into enabling equal competitive conditions for companies across the Union State, removing barriers and restrictions. This effort does not require heavy expenditure. Instead, it requires plenty of intellectual work"...

Shvydkoi: Belarusian young people should have more opportunities to visit Russian cultural centers
"If we look at the routes that our young people-schoolchildren, students, working youth – move around, we will see that we have a large number of opportunities here. Youth tourism between Belarus and Russia is a topic which we should pay more attention to"...

Belarusian ambassador encourages young people to go to museums, theaters
"It is necessary to make going to theaters or museums fashionable among young people however paradoxical it may sound. It should be done in a way young people can understand, in their own space, including social networks"...

Call to include humanitarian issues in digital agenda of Belarus-Russia Union State
In his opinion, the introduction of digital technologies in the humanitarian field has already brought certain results: electronic databases in museums and libraries, huge digital archives, online access to cultural events and library collections...

Opinion: Effect from Eastern Partnership should be tangible for everybody
"The main topic we have been actively promoting is to have a tangible result from the Eastern Partnership for ordinary people. This includes visa facilitation, the abolition of roaming charges, the simplification of contacts, new management and communication technologies"...

Ambassador: Two Brests show an example of vibrant regional contacts between Belarus and France
"Today, with the Belarusian authorities having introduced a five-day visa-free entry to the country with a view to attracting foreign tourists, the city of Brest occupies a special place in the field of consular interests"...

Wiktorin: Environmental protection remains an important avenue of EU-Belarus cooperation
“We support model projects and initiatives which can be launched in other Belarusian regions. The projects combining environmental and economic components are aimed at changing consumer habits”...

Call to protect manufacturers in compliance with EAEU treaty
"The Council of the Republic points out these drawbacks, and they say that they do not have enough powers. As far as I know, they have never had any well-grounded proposals regarding the expansion of functions for such bodies"...

Belarus government expects domestic demand to recover in 2018
"Economic growth will be secured in equal measure by domestic demand and foreign demand"...

Surplus of state budget revenues reported in Belarus
Andrei Kobyakov said that the central state budget had a Br3.4 billion surplus in January-October 2017, with the surplus of the consolidated budget at Br4.4 billion...

Lukashenko wants realistic but ambitious forecast for Belarusian economy in 2018
“I expect an active discussion on topical issues and proposals on the key areas of the life of the country. The forecast should be realistic but very ambitious,” the head of state said addressing the participants of the event...

Belarus president about economic growth: No reasons for self-complacency
“We can see certain growth this year. There are positive signs in the key industries of the economy. The domestic foreign currency market is stable. There is a foreign trade surplus. We have augmented the gold and foreign exchange reserves; the export has been growing"...

All economic draft laws designed to improve investment climate in Belarus
“The draft laws that are under consideration in our commission are all related to investment. We consider laws, law enforcement practices, property rights protection, and judicial practice. It is impossible for one law to change the investment climate. Such issues need to be addressed with a holistic approach”...

Belarusian MPs eager to work hard with Georgian parliament
In his opinion, a lot of work needs to be done to advance cooperation in various spheres. More vigorous contacts via the friendship groups previously established in the two parliaments will facilitate it among other things...

Lukashenko sends birthday greetings to Patriarch Kirill
“Your personal contribution to the restoration of great Orthodox traditions, native language and culture, strengthening of the Slavonic unity is invaluable,” the head of state noted...

Kobakhidze expresses hope for new level in Belarus-Georgia parliamentary relations
He noted that the Georgian parliamentary delegation and the National Assembly of Belarus will sign a statement which envisages more interaction in this regard...

Belarus views Georgia as one of its strategic partners
In his words, Belarus and Georgia do not have any closed topics. The countries are quite honest with each other when it comes to different matters, including international cooperation...

Belarus, Georgia urged to strengthen friendship
"We have excellent political and diplomatic relations, and also a strong friendship between our peoples. For us it is very important to have a close relationship between Georgia and the Republic of Belarus"...

Belarus president plans to visit Georgia in H1 2018
“We have reached an agreement on it, and now we have joined efforts with you to arrange the forthcoming visit in a way to leave a mark in the economy and trade between our states”...

Belarusian business associations urged to do more
Measures to secure the development of business associations may include reduced rental fees, defending the interests of members of the associations in court, simplification of the rules to receive international technical assistance, commercial services...