Economy minister: Hungary is a reliable partner for Belarus

MINSK, 14 February (BelTA) – Hungary is a reliable partner for Belarus, Economy Minister of Belarus Aleksandr Chervyakov said as he met with Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, BelTA learned from the press service of the Economy Ministry.

The economy minister expressed gratitude for the consistent and principled position of Hungary towards Belarus on international platforms.

Aleksandr Chervyakov took stock of Belarus' economic performance under the sanctions. “Despite the unprecedented external pressure, GDP fell by 4.7% by the end of the year, and not by 20% as various economists predicted. The loss of Western and Ukrainian markets was offset by more than 80% with supplies to other destinations. We posted a record high foreign trade surplus of $4.3 billion. We managed to reduce inflation,” the minister said.

The parties noted that the sanctions are counterproductive and they hurt not only Belarus, but also Western countries.

According to Aleksandr Chervyakov, Hungary is a reliable partner of Belarus. “Unfortunately, due to the sanctions, the bilateral trade has shrunk by more than a third. Yet, at the same time, it is important that the dialogue between diplomatic missions, ministries, business circles and through the Belarus-Hungary intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation continues. It is these regular contacts that help reinvigorate trade and economic cooperation,” he said.

“We are ready to support the Hungarian partners in mutually beneficial investment projects. The main areas of cooperation are nuclear energy, agriculture, pharmaceutics. I am convinced that the development of cooperation between Belarus and Hungary in certain areas will advance our relations to a qualitatively new level. For our part, we are open to any proposals,” said Aleksandr Chervyakov.