http://www.belta.by/en/main_news?id=313867
18.12.2008 160
Both the economy and society will be liberalized in Belarus, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with heads of leading Belarusian mass media on December 18, BelTA has learnt.
“We should break the bureaucratic stranglehold on the economy. Bureaucracy should not dominate the economy when the financial and economic crisis is raging on the world,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined. According to him, the economy should be given a chance to develop freely. “There should not be any excessive administrative pressure on the economy, all the processes should be liberalized and people should be given comfortable conditions to do their work,” he said.
The Belarusian Head of State underlined that it is essential to support the initiative of people, they should be able to register their enterprises freely and work comfortably. “We should give the state enterprises as much freedom as private business has,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined. He added that the state is ready to withdraw from those areas which can do better without state control.
The President noted that a number of enterprises will be privatized but it will be done at market prices. The key enterprises will only be sold in extraordinary circumstances. Today there are no such circumstances in Belarus, despite the global financial crisis.
Alexander Lukashenko informed that he signed important documents regarding the liberalization of economy. They will be published in the near future.
The President’s interview will be aired by TV Channel One, ONT and STV at 21.00 on December 18.
http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=313969
Belarus has no intention of joining either the European Union or NATO, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told heads of leading Belarusian mass media in an interview on December 18.
“In the foreseeable future the European Union doesn’t consider accepting new members. As it is not considered, we don’t discuss the possibility,” underscored the President.
Alexander Lukashenko remarked, the European Union had not suggested that Belarus should become its member. Besides, with new members adopted, the European Union has a lot of problem. The head of state remarked, in its time Europe admitted that Belarus was ready to join the European Union more than anyone. Alexander Lukashenko underscored, Belarus should try to be a calm haven for money and investors instead of joining any blocs.
As far as NATO is concerned, even in the foreseeable future Belarus does not consider joining the organisation, the President made clear. “We will cooperate with the European Union, even in accordance with their principles (the way European Union members cooperate). We are ready to do it right away,” said the head of state.
Speaking about the problem of deployment of US antimissile defences in Europe, Alexander Lukashenko remarked, Belarus is not going to respond to it in any way yet. “First, there are no antimissile defences in Europe yet, second, it means big money, which we don have yet,” said the President. Yet Belarus shares Russia’s view on the issue.
The President’s interview will be aired by TV Channel One, ONT and STV at 21.00 on December 18.