Single emission centre remains stumbling block to Union’s single currency – Lukashenko
<p> MINSK, Sep 9 - PrimePress. The issue of introducing a single currency in the Union State rests on the issue of a single issuing centre. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect at a press conference after negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 9 September 2021. </p> <p> </p> <p> "Whether it would be the dollar, the euro or the Russian ruble - the heart of the matter has always been a single currency emission centre. There are certain problems here. I think that we will solve this problem even while we are (Lukashenko and Putin – editor’s note) still in office [as presidents],” Lukashenko said. </p> <p> </p> <p> “As for the single currency, I want you, as journalists, to understand: Putin or Lukashenko slowing down these processes is not the issue. When we examined this problem, the Central Bank of Russia and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus unanimously asked us to leave it be. They said that neither the central banks nor our countries were ready for it,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> Lukashenko noted that the central banks of Russia and Belarus had studied the single currency topic, but "asked [the leaders of the two countries] <...> not to touch upon this issue yet." According to the Belarusian leader, the central banks believe that the states are not yet ready for such a step. But Lukashenko added that they should return to this issue. </p> <p> </p> <p> In Jan 2021, Lukashenko informed that Belarus and Russia had not yet profoundly considered the single currency launch. The 1999 Union Treaty provided for the gradual launch of a single currency and a single currency issuer. 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 said a single currency was possible in the future at a certain stage of integration. End </p>
2021-09-10
Primepress
Single emission centre remains stumbling block to Union’s single currency – Lukashenko
MINSK, Sep 9 - PrimePress. The issue of introducing a single currency in the Union State rests on the issue of a single issuing centre. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect at a press conference after negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 9 September 2021.
"Whether it would be the dollar, the euro or the Russian ruble - the heart of the matter has always been a single currency emission centre. There are certain problems here. I think that we will solve this problem even while we are (Lukashenko and Putin – editor’s note) still in office [as presidents],” Lukashenko said.
“As for the single currency, I want you, as journalists, to understand: Putin or Lukashenko slowing down these processes is not the issue. When we examined this problem, the Central Bank of Russia and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus unanimously asked us to leave it be. They said that neither the central banks nor our countries were ready for it,” said Lukashenko.
Lukashenko noted that the central banks of Russia and Belarus had studied the single currency topic, but "asked [the leaders of the two countries] <...> not to touch upon this issue yet." According to the Belarusian leader, the central banks believe that the states are not yet ready for such a step. But Lukashenko added that they should return to this issue.
In Jan 2021, Lukashenko informed that Belarus and Russia had not yet profoundly considered the single currency launch. The 1999 Union Treaty provided for the gradual launch of a single currency and a single currency issuer. 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 said a single currency was possible in the future at a certain stage of integration. End