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Lukashenko comments on Belarus-Russia cooperation potential
MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) – When it comes to implementing the potential of cooperation with Russia, time is more important than money, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media after his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Minsk on 19 December, BelTA has learned.
“The year 2022 gives us grounds to state with cautious optimism that we are coping with the economic challenges and are doing it quite well. Unexpectedly for ourselves, we are revealing our huge potential, which at other times we simply would not see or would not believe in it. We need to be fast however in making and implementing decisions. Time is more important than money today. That is the essence of today’s talks,” the head of state said.
He added that together with Vladimir Putin they discussed the implementation of the general plan of economic development - 28 Union State programs. So far, some 60% of the tasks defined by these programs have been implemented. A number of strategic documents have already been signed in customs and taxation. “We need to build on our success,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
According to him, of key importance are programs that provide for the creation of common energy markets (relevant instructions have been given to the governments to finalize these programs), the formation of a unified industrial and agricultural policy. “We agreed to strengthen our cooperation. We will not develop unnecessary parallel productions, if we have such in one of the two countries, and we will focus on industry,” said the head of state.
The parties also talked about the unification of the regulation of the transport market. "I think that we will remove all questions on this topic in the near future," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
"These issues will ensure equal conditions for business and access to public procurement. In all these areas, we decided to pick up pace. Pace is all important," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
He urged to concentrate joint efforts on transforming the economies of Belarus and Russia towards higher knowledge intensity, innovativeness, digitalization and technological sovereignty.
"All these areas are of a strategic importance. Such issues are not resolved in a day or two. We need time," the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus has preserved the production facilities it inherited from the Soviet Union. "We have preserved them and were able to develop them further in incredibly difficult conditions. We consume about 60% of what we produce. Everything else is exported. When our Western partners left, we were able to find consumers in huge Russia," the head of state said.
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