Belarus has always been an advocate of the CIS and regional integration, Belorussian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at a web-based meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government.
“A little more than a month and a half is left until the Republic of Belarus completes such an important and responsible mission as the chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Belarus has always been an advocate of the CIS and regional integration. We chaired on the principles of continuity, focusing on the long-term strategy for the development of our organization in various fields," the Prime Minister said. During this year Belarus has consistently implemented the action plan of its chairmanship, adapting it to the new and emerging realities and trends, he noted.
“The CIS bodies maintain positive momentum of interaction and adhere to the plans. Under the auspices of the Belarusian chairmanship, the CIS has held the meetings of its statutory bodies. The measures taken in the CIS coupled with the efforts of the states at the national level made it possible to ensure the growth across the most important macroeconomic indicators in the CIS in January-August 2021 year-on-year. Thus, the industrial production rose by 4.3%, cargo transportation (without pipeline transport) by 5.2%, retail trade - 8.5%. In January-July of this year, mutual trade in goods expanded by more than a quarter," Roman Golovchenko said. The Belarusian head of Government noted that the low base effect should be taken into account. “Nevertheless, a positive trend is evident and now it is very important to maintain it. This is especially true in the context of high inflation risks caused by rising prices for raw materials and the shortage of a certain group of high-tech goods," he stressed.
Belarus PM: CIS should focus on finding footholds to promote integration
Also Roman Golovchenko said that the CIS should focus on finding safeguards and footholds to promote integration.
“The CIS and other integration associations should pay special attention to finding safeguards and footholds to promote growth in our region and to boost the further integration,” Roman Golovchenko said. He believes that the established free trade zone for goods is of particular importance as it offers favorable conditions for economic growth.
“Under the Belarusian chairmanship, the CIS member states keep actively working on the free trade agreement covering services. We hope that the agreement will be signed in the near future. This will give an additional impetus to sustainable economic growth in the interests of the CIS countries given the opportunities offered by the comprehensive free trade zone,” the Belarusian head of Government emphasized.
Roman Golovchenko said that the agenda of the meeting includes a large package of documents aimed at the further development of the CIS. It includes a comprehensive action plan for 2021-2025 to implement the interstate program of innovative cooperation up to 2030, the concept of strategic development of railway transport until 2030, an action plan for the CIS Year of Folk Art and Cultural Heritage in 2022, and others. "All this testifies to the great potential of the CIS and its large-scale agenda. At the same time, given the fast-paced developments in the world the CIS needs to consciously adjust and search for the most effective solutions," the Prime Minister emphasized.
The Belarusian head of Government also touched upon the epidemiological situation: "It has a great impact on the economic stability of the countries, the well-being of citizens, health and human lives. Unfortunately, we have not yet managed to curb the spread of coronavirus, despite the summer decline. In a number of countries, including the CIS, we see a new steady increase in the number of cases with a much greater number of severe cases. The situation, in his opinion, is aggravated by the mutation of the virus, its constant adaptation to new drugs and treatment regimens.
"I believe that we responded very well, promptly took a number of comprehensive measures, including preemptive ones, and supported each other during this very difficult time. Taking into account the projected development of the situation, I suggest we continue coordinating our policies and supporting each other to ensure the sustainable operation of our economies and healthcare systems," Roman Golovchenko emphasized.
“A little more than a month and a half is left until the Republic of Belarus completes such an important and responsible mission as the chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Belarus has always been an advocate of the CIS and regional integration. We chaired on the principles of continuity, focusing on the long-term strategy for the development of our organization in various fields," the Prime Minister said. During this year Belarus has consistently implemented the action plan of its chairmanship, adapting it to the new and emerging realities and trends, he noted.
“The CIS bodies maintain positive momentum of interaction and adhere to the plans. Under the auspices of the Belarusian chairmanship, the CIS has held the meetings of its statutory bodies. The measures taken in the CIS coupled with the efforts of the states at the national level made it possible to ensure the growth across the most important macroeconomic indicators in the CIS in January-August 2021 year-on-year. Thus, the industrial production rose by 4.3%, cargo transportation (without pipeline transport) by 5.2%, retail trade - 8.5%. In January-July of this year, mutual trade in goods expanded by more than a quarter," Roman Golovchenko said. The Belarusian head of Government noted that the low base effect should be taken into account. “Nevertheless, a positive trend is evident and now it is very important to maintain it. This is especially true in the context of high inflation risks caused by rising prices for raw materials and the shortage of a certain group of high-tech goods," he stressed.
Belarus PM: CIS should focus on finding footholds to promote integration
Also Roman Golovchenko said that the CIS should focus on finding safeguards and footholds to promote integration.
“The CIS and other integration associations should pay special attention to finding safeguards and footholds to promote growth in our region and to boost the further integration,” Roman Golovchenko said. He believes that the established free trade zone for goods is of particular importance as it offers favorable conditions for economic growth.
“Under the Belarusian chairmanship, the CIS member states keep actively working on the free trade agreement covering services. We hope that the agreement will be signed in the near future. This will give an additional impetus to sustainable economic growth in the interests of the CIS countries given the opportunities offered by the comprehensive free trade zone,” the Belarusian head of Government emphasized.
Roman Golovchenko said that the agenda of the meeting includes a large package of documents aimed at the further development of the CIS. It includes a comprehensive action plan for 2021-2025 to implement the interstate program of innovative cooperation up to 2030, the concept of strategic development of railway transport until 2030, an action plan for the CIS Year of Folk Art and Cultural Heritage in 2022, and others. "All this testifies to the great potential of the CIS and its large-scale agenda. At the same time, given the fast-paced developments in the world the CIS needs to consciously adjust and search for the most effective solutions," the Prime Minister emphasized.
The Belarusian head of Government also touched upon the epidemiological situation: "It has a great impact on the economic stability of the countries, the well-being of citizens, health and human lives. Unfortunately, we have not yet managed to curb the spread of coronavirus, despite the summer decline. In a number of countries, including the CIS, we see a new steady increase in the number of cases with a much greater number of severe cases. The situation, in his opinion, is aggravated by the mutation of the virus, its constant adaptation to new drugs and treatment regimens.
"I believe that we responded very well, promptly took a number of comprehensive measures, including preemptive ones, and supported each other during this very difficult time. Taking into account the projected development of the situation, I suggest we continue coordinating our policies and supporting each other to ensure the sustainable operation of our economies and healthcare systems," Roman Golovchenko emphasized.