Lukashenko tasks to work out strategy to minimize impacts of Western sanctions
MINSK, Jul 6 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has set the task to draw up a strategy to minimize impacts of Western sanctions. He spoke about this on July 6, 2021 at a meeting on countering sanctions, the presidential press office reports.<br> <br> “We need to draw up a strategy that will minimize their effect and continue national development. As I’ve already said, any shortages or a slowdown of our economy growth achieved in the first half of the year are out of the question. No matter what it takes, we have to endure. We are at war,” said Lukashenko. <br> <br> According to the president, the so-called “changes” in Belarus were devised for one purpose: “to make way for their business.” “We’ve already seen same things at our southern neighbors, Ukrainians. They ruined production in Ukraine, even agriculture. They don’t need competition. This is one of the reasons for the pressure on Belarus. And everyone knows that corporations that finance political interests of some Western actors are behind these sanctions,” he said.<br> <br> Lukashenko said that sales of Belarusian products on European markets had never been large, which particularly concerns the companies that fell under sanctions, i.e. BelAZ, MAZ, etc. “We used to buy some components there. Are those components only produced in the European Union? No. They are also produced in the former Soviet republic, the People’s Republic of China and other countries. We should just get moving and reorient ourselves,” he said. <br> <br> “We know who in the United States, Germany and other countries, especially in Europe, opposed the supply of components and major units to our enterprises. We know them. We have experience. Remember, Skoda, Nivea and others? First, no entry to the Belarusian market. Second, no passing through Belarus either. We must do the same to the Germans. Let them supply their products to China and Russia via Finland. Or let them go via Ukraine (they have good roads there) and supply their products there,” said Lukashenko. <br> <br> He instructed the government and the National Bank to “look closely at the Western companies that are doing business in our country.” “Those who show ownership of their responsibilities here are welcome. We will cooperate with them. But if somebody does not understand us, and starts fighting against the Belarusian state, you know how they must be treated,” he said.<br> <br> According to the president, Belarus will fulfill its obligations on nuclear non-proliferation, combating illegal migration, smuggling, and international organized crime “to the extent necessary, on condition that this would be beneficial for the country and financially feasible.” Belarus will not turn into “a refugee camp” for nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria or Tunisia. “We will not keep anyone here. They are not coming to us, aren’t they? They are heading to enlightened, warm, comfortable Europe. The Foreign Ministry and our government are being reproached because we refuse to fulfill the provisions of our readmission agreement. This won’t happen, considering the policy they have been pursuing with regard to Belarus and Russia,” said Lukashenko.<br> <br> He wants the Foreign Ministry to respond decisively to any unfriendly steps towards Belarus. “Frankly, it seems that our diplomats are sitting in their holes, being afraid to stick their necks out. As I have already said, there are plenty of international courts. Why don’t we apply to these courts? And if we do, why isn’t our society aware of that?”<br> <br> Lukashenko spoke about a significant potential in trade with Russia, Asia, China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, as well as Africa, Latin America, Persian Gulf countries and the Middle East.<br> <br> As previously reported, on June 25, 2021, the EU Council introduced sanctions against largest sectors of Belarus’ economy. The sanctions prohibit direct or indirect sale, supply, transfer or export to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Belarus or for use in Belarus of goods used for the production or manufacturing of tobacco products; the purchase, import or transfer from Belarus of petroleum products, potassium chloride products. The EU Council prohibited EU entities and individuals from purchasing, selling, and provide investment services for or assistance in the issuance of, or otherwise deal with transferable securities and money-market instruments with a maturity exceeding 90 days, issued after 29 June 2021. Securities of large credit institutions or other institutions with more than 50% state ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 are also prohibited. The ban also affects bonds issued by major credit or other institutions established in Belarus with over 50 % public ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 (Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Belagroprombank). The government of Belarus, public bodies, corporations or agencies, or entities acting at their direction, are prohibited from acquiring insurance or reinsurance services from the EU. Any payments or disbursements by the European Investment Bank in connection with any existing agreements with the Republic of Belarus or its public authorities shall be prohibited. The EU member states will take the necessary measures to limit the involvement of multilateral development banks in Belarus. The prohibitions shall be without prejudice to the execution of contracts concluded before 25 June 2021 or ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts.<br> <br> The Council of the European Union (EU) at the level of foreign ministers of EU member states approved on 21 June 2021 the fourth package of individual sanctions on Belarus targeting 78 individuals and eight entities. The list of persons and entities hit by the sanctions includes MAZ, BelAZ, New Oil Company, Belaeronavigatsia air traffic service company, Bremino Group, Logex and Globalcustommanagement logistics companies, Sohra (exporter of Belarusian equipment).<br> <br> The United States on 21 June 2021 introduced sanctions against Belarus’ 16 individuals and 5 entities in response to human rights abuse and the Ryanair diversion incident. The United Kingdom (UK) on June 21 imposed sanctions against 11 individuals and two entities of Belarus after the Ryanair plane incident, as well as in response to human rights violations and suppression of democracy. Canada on 21 June 2021 imposed sanctions against 17 individuals and five entities of Belarus after the Ryanair plane incident and in response to human rights abuse.<br> <br> After the August 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, a political crisis began in the country. The authorities responded to the protests of citizens who disagreed with the election results with harsh repression and persecution. Since October 2020, the EU has already introduced three packages of (mostly targeted) sanctions against the Belarusian authorities. End <br> <br>
2021-07-06
Primepress
Lukashenko tasks to work out strategy to minimize impacts of Western sanctions
“We need to draw up a strategy that will minimize their effect and continue national development. As I’ve already said, any shortages or a slowdown of our economy growth achieved in the first half of the year are out of the question. No matter what it takes, we have to endure. We are at war,” said Lukashenko.
According to the president, the so-called “changes” in Belarus were devised for one purpose: “to make way for their business.” “We’ve already seen same things at our southern neighbors, Ukrainians. They ruined production in Ukraine, even agriculture. They don’t need competition. This is one of the reasons for the pressure on Belarus. And everyone knows that corporations that finance political interests of some Western actors are behind these sanctions,” he said.
Lukashenko said that sales of Belarusian products on European markets had never been large, which particularly concerns the companies that fell under sanctions, i.e. BelAZ, MAZ, etc. “We used to buy some components there. Are those components only produced in the European Union? No. They are also produced in the former Soviet republic, the People’s Republic of China and other countries. We should just get moving and reorient ourselves,” he said.
“We know who in the United States, Germany and other countries, especially in Europe, opposed the supply of components and major units to our enterprises. We know them. We have experience. Remember, Skoda, Nivea and others? First, no entry to the Belarusian market. Second, no passing through Belarus either. We must do the same to the Germans. Let them supply their products to China and Russia via Finland. Or let them go via Ukraine (they have good roads there) and supply their products there,” said Lukashenko.
He instructed the government and the National Bank to “look closely at the Western companies that are doing business in our country.” “Those who show ownership of their responsibilities here are welcome. We will cooperate with them. But if somebody does not understand us, and starts fighting against the Belarusian state, you know how they must be treated,” he said.
According to the president, Belarus will fulfill its obligations on nuclear non-proliferation, combating illegal migration, smuggling, and international organized crime “to the extent necessary, on condition that this would be beneficial for the country and financially feasible.” Belarus will not turn into “a refugee camp” for nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria or Tunisia. “We will not keep anyone here. They are not coming to us, aren’t they? They are heading to enlightened, warm, comfortable Europe. The Foreign Ministry and our government are being reproached because we refuse to fulfill the provisions of our readmission agreement. This won’t happen, considering the policy they have been pursuing with regard to Belarus and Russia,” said Lukashenko.
He wants the Foreign Ministry to respond decisively to any unfriendly steps towards Belarus. “Frankly, it seems that our diplomats are sitting in their holes, being afraid to stick their necks out. As I have already said, there are plenty of international courts. Why don’t we apply to these courts? And if we do, why isn’t our society aware of that?”
Lukashenko spoke about a significant potential in trade with Russia, Asia, China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, as well as Africa, Latin America, Persian Gulf countries and the Middle East.
As previously reported, on June 25, 2021, the EU Council introduced sanctions against largest sectors of Belarus’ economy. The sanctions prohibit direct or indirect sale, supply, transfer or export to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Belarus or for use in Belarus of goods used for the production or manufacturing of tobacco products; the purchase, import or transfer from Belarus of petroleum products, potassium chloride products. The EU Council prohibited EU entities and individuals from purchasing, selling, and provide investment services for or assistance in the issuance of, or otherwise deal with transferable securities and money-market instruments with a maturity exceeding 90 days, issued after 29 June 2021. Securities of large credit institutions or other institutions with more than 50% state ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 are also prohibited. The ban also affects bonds issued by major credit or other institutions established in Belarus with over 50 % public ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 (Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Belagroprombank). The government of Belarus, public bodies, corporations or agencies, or entities acting at their direction, are prohibited from acquiring insurance or reinsurance services from the EU. Any payments or disbursements by the European Investment Bank in connection with any existing agreements with the Republic of Belarus or its public authorities shall be prohibited. The EU member states will take the necessary measures to limit the involvement of multilateral development banks in Belarus. The prohibitions shall be without prejudice to the execution of contracts concluded before 25 June 2021 or ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts.
The Council of the European Union (EU) at the level of foreign ministers of EU member states approved on 21 June 2021 the fourth package of individual sanctions on Belarus targeting 78 individuals and eight entities. The list of persons and entities hit by the sanctions includes MAZ, BelAZ, New Oil Company, Belaeronavigatsia air traffic service company, Bremino Group, Logex and Globalcustommanagement logistics companies, Sohra (exporter of Belarusian equipment).
The United States on 21 June 2021 introduced sanctions against Belarus’ 16 individuals and 5 entities in response to human rights abuse and the Ryanair diversion incident. The United Kingdom (UK) on June 21 imposed sanctions against 11 individuals and two entities of Belarus after the Ryanair plane incident, as well as in response to human rights violations and suppression of democracy. Canada on 21 June 2021 imposed sanctions against 17 individuals and five entities of Belarus after the Ryanair plane incident and in response to human rights abuse.
After the August 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, a political crisis began in the country. The authorities responded to the protests of citizens who disagreed with the election results with harsh repression and persecution. Since October 2020, the EU has already introduced three packages of (mostly targeted) sanctions against the Belarusian authorities. End