Opinions & Interviews
Belarusian living standards praised
MOSCOW, 29 September (BelTA) – Of all the ex-USSR countries the living standards in Belarus are the best. The opinion was voiced by First Vice Premier of Russia Igor Shuvalov during the ceremony held in Moscow on 29 September to confer Belarusian state awards, BelTA has learned.
Igor Shuvalov said: “I believe that people in Belarus live in the most decent manner out of all the countries that emerged after the Soviet Union collapse. There are no poor people in Belarus and no extraordinary rich ones but people enjoy very decent living standards.”
The Russian official noted that Belarus is gearing up for the presidential election, which is a very important domestic political event. He stressed that although Russia does not interfere with the election process, he asked to convey his thanks for the award to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and wished him victory in the polls.
“It is a great honor for me to receive an award from the Belarus president, who is infinitely respected in Russia,” noted Igor Shuvalov.
BelTA reported earlier that Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov conferred an Order of Friendship of Peoples upon Igor Shuvalov in Moscow on 29 September. According to the relevant decree of the Belarus president, the award has been bestowed for Igor Shuvalov’s great personal contribution to preparing the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty, for the development and expansion of integration processes, for the enhancement of Belarus-Russia economic cooperation.
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