Opinions & Interviews

Belarus urges to keep international trade, relations working amid pandemic

Sergei Rumas

MINSK, 4 May (BelTA) – The fight against the pandemic should not result in broken manufacturing cooperation ties, in the suspension of international trade, and the termination of investment activities. Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas made the statement at a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement’s contact group United Against COVID-19 on 4 May. Sergei Rumas took part in the summit upon instructions of the head of state, BelTA has learned.

Sergei Rumas said: “We cannot allow the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to disrupt the established manufacturing cooperation ties and logistics, to stop international trade, and to suspend investment activities. The Belarusian government is taking all the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We pay as much attention to promptly making strategic decisions, which will allow restoring economic activity fast after the pandemic.”

Sergei Rumas stressed that it is of utmost importance to support citizens by beefing up social guarantees, making medical aid more accessible, by improving the healthcare system, and stepping up scientific research efforts for the sake of developing means of prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of the infection. “Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement should demonstrate their resolve to put aside political and economic differences and unite efforts in the fight against the coronavirus infection. International organizations should be able and have to prove their utility by deeds,” the prime minister added.

In particular, as one of the most numerous and representative multilateral interaction platforms the Non-Aligned Movement should become an embodiment of international solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Sergei Rumas believes. “It is the collective efforts of the countries and their unity that will determine how effectively they will be able to reduce the scale of negative manifestations of the pandemic. Every country is working out its own decisions and responses but we can do so much more together. If we don’t pool efforts, tomorrow we will have to deal with broken economic ties and it will take a lot of time, money, and labor,” Sergei Rumas said.

The prime minister also noted that Belarus supports UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who says it is necessary to coordinate efforts of UN organizations in order to support all the affected countries, particularly those, which are most threatened by the pandemic. “Belarus also expresses support for the World Health Organization. Belarus recognizes the organization’s leading role in the global response to the coronavirus epidemic. We are grateful to the WHO for the assistance rendered by an expert mission, which visited Belarus on 8-11 April. We are convinced that Belarus’ election to the WHO Executive Board for the 2021-2024 period will become an important contribution of our country to the resolution of international healthcare problems,” Sergei Rumas stated.

Belarus is in favor of making the future coronavirus vaccine accessible for everyone. Belarus calls for taking measures to prevent profiteering and the stockpiling of medications, individual protection means, and medical equipment needed to fight COVID-19. Belarus is ready to work with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and dialogue, Sergei Rumas assured.

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