Yuri Shuleiko. An archive photo
MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – Chairman of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee Yuri Shuleiko has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister in charge of overseeing agriculture. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has made the relevant personnel management decision, BelTA has learned.
This position has been vacant since the time the head of state appointed Leonid Zayats member of the eighth-convocation Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Yuri, look at what functions you will undertake in addition to agriculture. Why? I need a sensible and skilled processing industry specialist. We keep talking about agriculture all the time as if it was limited to crop farming and animal husbandry. But no. It also includes processing and sales of products. This iron work is yours, Yuri Vitoldovich [Shuleiko]. You are in charge of overseeing the fulfillment of programs chosen by the president. You know them well.”
The president mentioned successful work of Yuri Shuleiko in the capacity of the Brest Oblast administration head: “He did well. It is very important. It means he knows what is going on over there, too.”
“I am grateful to you for accepting this job. I understand that an oblast governor is a job that can keep one far away from [Prime Minister Roman] Golovchenko, [former First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Maksim] Ryzhenkov, and [newly appointed Head of the Belarus President Administration Dmitry] Krutoi. Things are quieter over there. Here you have to come up with a good system of work in agriculture first and foremost. As a knowledgeable person you have agreed to do the job. Thank you. If you want a different job, I’ve promised to you that you can come and tell me about it. We will think about it. I think you will succeed at this job. We are ready to support and help you in this regard,” the head of state stated.
At the same time Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that Yuri Shuleiko will keep watching over Brest Oblast until a new governor is appointed. These matters will also remain part of his job description as a president’s authorized representative.
The head of state also asked to get the senator Mikhail Rusy involved in this work.
“I am afraid we may fail the harvesting campaign over there. It is very important,” the president stressed.
