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Lukashenko comments on prospects of Belarus-Russia single currency

MINSK, 2 December (BelTA) – The introduction of a single currency of Belarus and Russia means a new level of integration, but the two countries have not come close to it yet, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with Dmitry Kiselyov, Director General of the Russian state news agency MIA Rossiya Segodnya, BelTA has learned.

“We need to approach the single currency matter step by step. When Yeltsin and I signed the agreement, we meant that it would not be a Belarusian ruble or a Russian ruble, but some other currency. Yet, since our currency is called a ruble, and your currency is also called a ruble, why should we invent something else and call the single currency a thaler or something. Yes, it will be a ruble,” the president said.

Another thing is the conditions on which the emission center will operate: “Let’s do it like in the European Union. It must be independent. It must not be Russian.”

“This [the introduction of the single currency] is a higher level of integration which we have not approached. If we approach it, we will take a decision,” the Belarusian leader added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko was also asked whether there are potentially any limits to the integration of Belarus and Russia. “No process has any limits. It sounds philosophical, but this is true. There are no limits,” he said.

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