Belarus-Russia currency union not under profound consideration yet – Lukashenko
<p> MINSK, Jan 11 - PrimePress. Belarus and Russia have not yet profoundly considered the single currency launch, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told Russia-1 TV channel. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The Russian president and I initially decided that a currency union, a single currency would be a jewel in the crown. We have to come to this one day. There was no pressing need for that, basically. Our central banks our national bank unanimously said that there was no problem there,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> He said both countries need greater integration effectively resolve political issues. Today, the degree of cooperation between Russia and Belarus is higher than with any other country, he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, the governments of Belarus and Russia initialed a Union State integration program in September 2019 and approved 31 roadmaps in various areas. Draft roadmaps were expected to be coordinated by November 2020, and Lukashenko and Putin were supposed to approve the entire package of integration documents on December 8, 2019 during the events timed to the 20th anniversary of the Belarus-Russia Union Treaty of December 8, 1999. The signing of the package did not take place. Belarus said that the parties failed to reach accompanying agreements on Russian energy prices, compensation for Belarus’ losses resulted from the tax maneuver in the Russian oil industry, and removal of barriers to Belarusian commodities in the Russian market. Lukashenko said he would not endorse the roadmaps unless the above fundamental issues are finally resolved. </p> <p> </p> <p> The Union Treaty provides for the gradual launch of a single currency and a single currency issuer. Nothing has been reported on such a roadmap yet. Lukashenko previously welcomed the idea of a single currency of the Union, but, as he said, it should not be either the Belarusian or the Russian ruble. Russian authorities say a single currency is possible in the future at a certain stage of integration. End </p>
2021-01-12
Primepress
Belarus-Russia currency union not under profound consideration yet – Lukashenko
MINSK, Jan 11 - PrimePress. Belarus and Russia have not yet profoundly considered the single currency launch, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told Russia-1 TV channel.
“The Russian president and I initially decided that a currency union, a single currency would be a jewel in the crown. We have to come to this one day. There was no pressing need for that, basically. Our central banks our national bank unanimously said that there was no problem there,” said Lukashenko.
He said both countries need greater integration effectively resolve political issues. Today, the degree of cooperation between Russia and Belarus is higher than with any other country, he said.
As previously reported, the governments of Belarus and Russia initialed a Union State integration program in September 2019 and approved 31 roadmaps in various areas. Draft roadmaps were expected to be coordinated by November 2020, and Lukashenko and Putin were supposed to approve the entire package of integration documents on December 8, 2019 during the events timed to the 20th anniversary of the Belarus-Russia Union Treaty of December 8, 1999. The signing of the package did not take place. Belarus said that the parties failed to reach accompanying agreements on Russian energy prices, compensation for Belarus’ losses resulted from the tax maneuver in the Russian oil industry, and removal of barriers to Belarusian commodities in the Russian market. Lukashenko said he would not endorse the roadmaps unless the above fundamental issues are finally resolved.
The Union Treaty provides for the gradual launch of a single currency and a single currency issuer. Nothing has been reported on such a roadmap yet. Lukashenko previously welcomed the idea of a single currency of the Union, but, as he said, it should not be either the Belarusian or the Russian ruble. Russian authorities say a single currency is possible in the future at a certain stage of integration. End