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Lukashenko: Belarus, Russia have become stronger amid sanctions pressure

MINSK, 6 December (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia have not just withstood the unprecedented sanctions pressure, the two countries have become stronger, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 6 December, BelTA has learned.

“Under the conditions of unprecedented sanctions pressure, the basic sectors of the economy have been preserved, the financial system has not been disturbed, with unemployment staying at its minimum, and incomes and savings of citizens growing. We have not just withstood, we have become stronger,” the head of state said.

The president cited some economic statistics. Since 1999, when the Union State Treaty was signed, the GDP of both countries has grown significantly: up about 2.5 times. Belarus-Russia trade is also steadily increasing. Last year it reached almost $55 billion. If the current growth rates are maintained, the countries expect to reach about $60 billion in 2024.

“It is necessary however to ask ourselves a question: have we envisaged and done everything to make such progress permanent and not subject to any fluctuations? In order to cope with new challenges, we need coordinated and responsible work of governments and all sectors of the economy. After all, due to the peculiarities of the current situation, we have to solve fundamentally new tasks,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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