MINSK, 14 May (BelTA) - Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Prime Minister Sergei Rumas to receive his report on 14 May, BelTA has learned.
The head of state was first of all interested in the country's economic performance in January-April 2020. “We analyzed the first quarter. April was not an easy month, due to certain circumstances, which are very serious for our export-oriented economy. Therefore, I would like to see the results of those four months and the main trends that primarily worry us,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko was also interested in the situation with the state debt. “What is the situation and how are we going to pay off the debts?” he asked.
“The third topic is the IMF. I have instructed the government to deal with these issues. The matter also concerns other international bank organizations which are ready to finance us during this time, including in healthcare,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also focused on another important issue, the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Belarus. “Yesterday I received information that Russia sells natural gas in Europe during this difficult time at the price under $70: $65-68, but not at $127, as to Belarus. What is the situation here and what can we expect in the future? I raised this issue during the EAEU video conference. Very soon we will have another video conference in the same format. I would like to know what has been done so far to reduce the gas for natural gas for Belarus. Such things will not work. I am not even talking about the year of the 75th anniversary [of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War], when Germany gets natural gas at the price under $70, according to the information I have, but not at $127, the price set for Belarus,” said the president.
