Belgazprombank issue must be resolved without politicizing – Russia’s ambassador
<p> MINSK, Nov 25 - PrimePress. The situation with Belgazprombank must be resolved outside the political agenda, and the government should not interfere with dialogue with shareholders, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev told reporters on November 25, 2020. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The issue must be resolved with the shareholders, without a government’s intervention, outside the political agenda. I believe this is the way to overcome all the difficulties with this bank,” said the ambassador. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, the interim administration under ex-head of the National Bank of Belarus Nadezhda Yermakova was appointed to Belgazprombank on June 15, 2020 by resolution No.192 of the National Bank of Belarus of June 14, 2020. The Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee of Belarus searched the bank’s office on June 11 as part of the criminal case on tax evasion, and detained 20 persons, including, according to some sources, two deputy chairs of the Board. Primary shareholders (Russian Gazprom and Gazprombank) called the actions of the National Bank and Belarus’ law enforcement illegal and refused to cooperate with the interim administration. For two decades, Belgazprombank was headed by Viktor Babariko, who attempted to run for president in the August 9 election. Babariko was detained on June 18. He said that no complaints had been filed against the bank and related companies. He believes the actions of the authorities are politically motivated. </p> <p> </p> <p> According to Mezentsev, it is important to look into the matter as prescribed by the national legislation without dragging it into the field of the bilateral relationship. </p> <p> </p> <p> “I am sure this will be done, the more so as the Belarusian president states his interest in preserving and strengthening Belgazprombank. A lot has already been done to this end,” the ambassador said. </p> <p> </p> <p> Lukashenko said on November 24 at the meeting with Yermakova that he suggested Russian and other shareholders working together in Belgazprombank, which would continue operating even without the Russian owners. Lukashenko expects that by mid-December 2020, when the interim administration’s mandate will expire, the new management will be appointed. Yermakova reported that candidates for Belgazprombank’s Board were already under consideration. </p> <p> </p> <p> Belgazprombank OJSC was established in 1990 as an authorized bank of Gazprom Group in Belarus. Russian Gazprom PJSC and Gazprombank JSC own 49.66% stake in Belgazprombank each; Gazprom Transgaz Belarus – 0.49%; the Republic of Belarus represented by the Ministry of Energy of Belarus – 0.097%. Belgazprombank is assigned to the system significance Group I. End </p>
2020-11-26
Primepress
Belgazprombank issue must be resolved without politicizing – Russia’s ambassador
MINSK, Nov 25 - PrimePress. The situation with Belgazprombank must be resolved outside the political agenda, and the government should not interfere with dialogue with shareholders, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev told reporters on November 25, 2020.
“The issue must be resolved with the shareholders, without a government’s intervention, outside the political agenda. I believe this is the way to overcome all the difficulties with this bank,” said the ambassador.
As previously reported, the interim administration under ex-head of the National Bank of Belarus Nadezhda Yermakova was appointed to Belgazprombank on June 15, 2020 by resolution No.192 of the National Bank of Belarus of June 14, 2020. The Financial Investigations Department of the State Control Committee of Belarus searched the bank’s office on June 11 as part of the criminal case on tax evasion, and detained 20 persons, including, according to some sources, two deputy chairs of the Board. Primary shareholders (Russian Gazprom and Gazprombank) called the actions of the National Bank and Belarus’ law enforcement illegal and refused to cooperate with the interim administration. For two decades, Belgazprombank was headed by Viktor Babariko, who attempted to run for president in the August 9 election. Babariko was detained on June 18. He said that no complaints had been filed against the bank and related companies. He believes the actions of the authorities are politically motivated.
According to Mezentsev, it is important to look into the matter as prescribed by the national legislation without dragging it into the field of the bilateral relationship.
“I am sure this will be done, the more so as the Belarusian president states his interest in preserving and strengthening Belgazprombank. A lot has already been done to this end,” the ambassador said.
Lukashenko said on November 24 at the meeting with Yermakova that he suggested Russian and other shareholders working together in Belgazprombank, which would continue operating even without the Russian owners. Lukashenko expects that by mid-December 2020, when the interim administration’s mandate will expire, the new management will be appointed. Yermakova reported that candidates for Belgazprombank’s Board were already under consideration.
Belgazprombank OJSC was established in 1990 as an authorized bank of Gazprom Group in Belarus. Russian Gazprom PJSC and Gazprombank JSC own 49.66% stake in Belgazprombank each; Gazprom Transgaz Belarus – 0.49%; the Republic of Belarus represented by the Ministry of Energy of Belarus – 0.097%. Belgazprombank is assigned to the system significance Group I. End