Belarus backs SCO proposals to expand use of national currencies in trade - Lukashenko
<p> MINSK, Sep 17 - PrimePress. Belarus supports the proposals of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to expand the use of national currencies in trade and finance. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect at the meeting of the Council of the Heads of the SCO Member States in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) on 17 September, the president’s press service said. </p> <p> </p> <p> “Belarus resolutely and consistently supports the SCO proposals to expand the use of national currencies in trade and finance,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> In his opinion, the ongoing developments in the world have exposed the increasing vulnerability of those countries that fully rely on one well-known currency. “This does not only deprive us of competitive advantages in economy and finance, but also threatens national security. Moreover, the reliance on one currency is increasingly being used as a weapon,” Lukashenko said. </p> <p> </p> <p> He called cyberattacks and manipulation of public opinion via the internet one of the most dangerous challenges for the SCO countries. “They threaten the security of state institutions, public interests, as well as human rights,” the head of state noted. According to him, one of the problems in this context is the absence of an international legal system that establishes norms and rules of conduct in this area. The development of an appropriate international platform will make it possible to resolve these issues, said Lukashenko. “The global data security initiative proposed by Chinese partners, as well as Belarus' earlier proposal to create a ‘digital good-neighbourhood belt’ may become important steps towards this goal,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> Lukashenko also believes that the further development of the SCO common transport space holds a lot of promise and will help build reliable logistics infrastructure. </p> <p> </p> <p> “By joining efforts, we will be able to effectively link Europe with Asia, expanding the route network and creating the necessary conditions for transit,” the president said. Belarus and China are already actively working in this direction, said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> He also spoke about the need to develop railway transportation. “Railway transport proved to be the most resistant to various kinds of restrictions in the context of the pandemic,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> The SCO comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia have observer status; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey are dialogue partners. Belarus obtained an SCO observer status in July 2015. End </p>
2021-09-18
Primepress
Belarus backs SCO proposals to expand use of national currencies in trade - Lukashenko
MINSK, Sep 17 - PrimePress. Belarus supports the proposals of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to expand the use of national currencies in trade and finance. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect at the meeting of the Council of the Heads of the SCO Member States in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) on 17 September, the president’s press service said.
“Belarus resolutely and consistently supports the SCO proposals to expand the use of national currencies in trade and finance,” said Lukashenko.
In his opinion, the ongoing developments in the world have exposed the increasing vulnerability of those countries that fully rely on one well-known currency. “This does not only deprive us of competitive advantages in economy and finance, but also threatens national security. Moreover, the reliance on one currency is increasingly being used as a weapon,” Lukashenko said.
He called cyberattacks and manipulation of public opinion via the internet one of the most dangerous challenges for the SCO countries. “They threaten the security of state institutions, public interests, as well as human rights,” the head of state noted. According to him, one of the problems in this context is the absence of an international legal system that establishes norms and rules of conduct in this area. The development of an appropriate international platform will make it possible to resolve these issues, said Lukashenko. “The global data security initiative proposed by Chinese partners, as well as Belarus' earlier proposal to create a ‘digital good-neighbourhood belt’ may become important steps towards this goal,” he said.
Lukashenko also believes that the further development of the SCO common transport space holds a lot of promise and will help build reliable logistics infrastructure.
“By joining efforts, we will be able to effectively link Europe with Asia, expanding the route network and creating the necessary conditions for transit,” the president said. Belarus and China are already actively working in this direction, said Lukashenko.
He also spoke about the need to develop railway transportation. “Railway transport proved to be the most resistant to various kinds of restrictions in the context of the pandemic,” said Lukashenko.
The SCO comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia have observer status; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey are dialogue partners. Belarus obtained an SCO observer status in July 2015. End