The Palace of Independence is the seat of the president of the Republic of Belarus. An archive photo
MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has appointed Dmitry Krutoi Head of the Belarus President Administration. Natalya Petkevich has been appointed First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I made a number of personnel management decisions yesterday. I’d like to voice them in the presence of civil servants and those responsible. Primarily the appointed ones. I’ve decided to appoint a head of the presidential administration. Dmitry Nikolayevich Krutoi will take care of these obligations and functions starting tomorrow.”
“You have been appointed Head of the Belarus President Administration. You are also responsible for the realization of all our agreements with the Russian Federation. You know these problems better than anyone else. Take them under control the way [First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai] Snopkov does with regard to China. Our two main partners are Russia and the People’s Republic of China. We need a responsible and task-oriented approach towards fulfilling our obligations and towards advancing our relations. You will be responsible for it for now. If you feel we don’t need this oversight, tell me. Across the board. Including your visits to Russian regions just the way you did it when you were the ambassador. There are no topics to avoid,” the president said.
At the same time the head of state made it clear that despite these instructions Dmitry Krutoi should not substitute the new ambassador. “I know you are a polite person. You will not stomp on someone else’s bailiwick. But be accurate and polite in relations with the new ambassador. He should take care of problems. You will have to give hints, a bit of a nudge at times in the course of overseeing various processes. And naturally you will be responsible for the corresponding commission for now. Until you tell me no,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
“But the Belarus President Administration should be prioritized,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
The president explained why he had chosen Dmitry Krutoi as the new head of the Belarus President Administration. Dmitry Krutoi worked in the administration not so long ago. He has experience of working in the government and knows the matters concerning the Belarus President Administration and interaction with the government very well.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that it is important considering the need to oversee the fulfillment of the president’s instructions. “We will talk about it when you come to me with the prime minister,” the head of state said.
Speaking about Natalya Petkevich’s appointment, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “There will be no applause [on the part of subordinates] considering your insistence on high standards and your principled approach. Your knowledge. You know everything.”
