President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko expects constructive breakthrough ideas from the government to improve the efficiency of the economy. The Head of State stated this on December 29 during the introduction of the new Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov to his post, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko expects constructive breakthrough ideas from the government to improve the efficiency of the economy. The Head of State stated this on December 29 during the introduction of the new Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov to his post, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
In connection with the new personnel decisions, the President explained that there is no emergency here. "This process is constant. Our life is constantly moving, flowing. Rotation of personnel, appointments, transfers at all levels are traditional, especially in the year of presidential elections. This is also not new, we acted this way last time. The main core of the government, other leaders of the country was formed before the presidential elections," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"I attach special importance to the current personnel decisions aimed at strengthening the economic bloc," added Alexander Lukashenko. This is why the composition of the Council of Ministers leadership has been updated by more than half. "If the economy works normally, there will be finances and currency, and therefore stability in our society. And the people will never have excessive claims against us," the Head of State noted.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the personnel decisions concerning the government were not a spontaneous step. "I have been thinking about these issues for at least six months. There were many doubts. No one lobbied for any positions. Until the last moment, many did not even know what they would have to do. This was my personal decision. But this decision did not come out of thin air," the President emphasized.
"In the near future, Andrei Kobyakov will be introduced to the parliamentary corps. According to the Constitution, he must present the government's program of activity to the parliament within two months," said Alexander Lukashenko. "Andrei Vladimirovich Kobyakov is not a new person to you. He has extensive experience in economic, diplomatic, and leadership activities. He has ten years of experience as Deputy Prime Minister, and for the last two years he headed the Presidential Administration."
Furthermore, the President noted that the task of preparing proposals for further optimization of public administration bodies is not removed from Andrey Kobyakov. "We must resolutely rid public authorities of duplicating and non-core functions. Use international experience and, most importantly, proceed from our situation, our life. No one can raise the issue of increasing civil servants' salaries without optimizing the structures subordinate to you. Optimize, eliminate unnecessary functions that are not needed at one stage or another, and act. By eliminating functions, we will increase discipline and responsibility for the decisions made," the President emphasized.
He focused on the priority tasks that are expected from the new government.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that one of the priority tasks of the updated government is to ensure the normal operation of enterprises and organizations. "It is vitally important to preserve labor collectives and jobs. The economy must work effectively," the head of state noted.
The President recalled the recently signed Decree No. 5, which granted additional rights to managers. "All managers have been given additional rights and all opportunities to fairly hold subordinates accountable for results, to reward those who work conscientiously, and to punish idlers and violators of labor discipline. Never before has a manager had such powers as they have today. They have such tools, using which they can solve any problem in a short period of time," said Alexander Lukashenko.
However, along with this, the accountability of managers for results is increasing. "It is they who must take initiative and earn money themselves, while the government's task is organization and strict control," added Alexander Lukashenko.
At the same time, he noted that the replacement of enterprise managers will continue in Belarus. "The replacement of enterprise managers will continue. I particularly emphasize that it will not just be impossible, but even dangerous to sit idly in a managerial position. If you feel that you cannot continue to work, it is better to step aside and give others an opportunity to work," said the President of Belarus.
The head of state stressed that there will be no reshuffling across the country: "If you have failed in public service, and God forbid, have violated the law, you will never be a manager in either a state or a private structure. Never. And this will be strictly controlled by me."
The President also noted that in the current conditions, one of the government's top priorities is export diversification. "No one will create greenhouse conditions for us. To successfully promote our products, we need to reduce their cost, improve quality, search for and find new sales markets," said Alexander Lukashenko. The Head of State also noted: "We cannot be dependent on only one or one and a half markets. Yes, Russia is our brother, our friend, but you see how they sometimes behave: one does one thing, the second doesn't know what the first is doing. Therefore, we must diversify, whatever it takes. And don't be offended by me: the demand for this will be the harshest."
At the same time, the President stressed that diversification in no way means withdrawing from the Russian market. "But we must work there an order of magnitude more effectively, more energetically occupy the vacant commodity niches. And the primary task of the government is to support exporters. We have all the levers to keep the economy of our enterprises competitive," the Head of State emphasized.
The President of Belarus also stated: "Embassies should primarily focus on trade. We do not need representative offices, we do not need white-collar workers who will walk around looking presentable and representing." Alexander Lukashenko explained that, relying on embassies, one can see what specifically is in demand in the market of a particular region. The Head of State noted that an ambassador should always be in contact with the official responsible for a specific country or region, and coordinate actions.
"We need to ask them (foreign partners) to buy our products, especially from the leaders of those states that are in very good relations with us or strive to be in good relations with us," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. The President cited Kazakhstan as an example, where certain goods from Belarus could be supplied instead of those items that are being covered by imports from other countries.
At the same time, the President dwelled separately on the issue of product quality. "We need to bring our products to a new stage of quality. There are increasing complaints that individual components of Belarusian products, individual product nomenclatures are of poor quality. This is a crime. Now, it is necessary to go as far as manual assembly. Assemble and disassemble anew, but supply quality goods to the markets," stressed Alexander Lukashenko.
The President also considers restoring order in the consumer market as one of the government's priority tasks. "The chairpersons of the regional executive committees and the Minsk City Executive Committee, and the Ministry of Trade have been granted broad powers to ensure order in the domestic consumer market, to saturate it with a wide range of goods, to exercise strict control over prices, and to suppress any, even the slightest, attempts at speculation in this sphere," he said. The President once again drew attention to the fact that "the trend towards price control must be constant and systemic," for which a relevant document was adopted – Decree No. 567. In order to curb the hype in the domestic foreign exchange market and deter speculators from exchange offices, a fee was introduced for the purchase of foreign currency. At the same time, according to the President of Belarus, there are no fundamental reasons for price increases.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that, in addition to solving current tasks, the government needs to seriously work on preparing plans for the medium-term perspective, primarily on the draft Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2016-2020. This program is to be not only developed but also defended at the next All-Belarusian People's Assembly.
The President also characterised the new Deputy Prime Ministers. Regarding the First Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Matyushevsky, the head of state noted: "Candidate of Economic Sciences. He has a good understanding of the economic, financial, and banking systems. He possesses the specifics of investment activities. I, along with Pavel Kallaur (the new Chairman of the Board of the National Bank), have not just noticed them for a long time; I knew them from work when I was a deputy, especially Kallaur."
Alexander Lukashenko explained that when the issue of employing Matyushevsky and Kallaur in senior positions in major Belarusian banks with Russian capital arose, he reacted positively to it.
He noted that the government should establish effective interaction with the National Bank. "The task here is to ensure stability and balance in the country's domestic foreign exchange and financial market through coordinated actions. To attract all financial resources for the real sector of the economy."
Speaking about the new Deputy Prime Minister, Natalya Kochanova, the President noted that she is a person from the region. Previously, she held the position of Chairperson of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, and now she will oversee social sphere development issues in the government. "She knows people's needs well. We are counting on her practical experience, common sense, and feminine practicality. It is very good that a person from the grassroots, from the people, will appear in the government. A completely down-to-earth person, her whole life has been connected with the most specific everyday problems, especially in the housing and communal services sector," said the Head of State. "Whatever difficulties we may face, the main objective of Belarus's socio-economic policy has been, remains, and will be care for the people."
The President emphasized that he expects effective work from the old team of deputy prime ministers as well. Vladimir Semashko retains responsibility for coordinating the industrial and fuel and energy complexes. "It is very important to successfully complete the initiated projects and ensure proper returns from modernized production facilities," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Vladimir Semashko will also oversee the construction of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant and other issues. "Many may have questions about why the President has criticized Semashko so much that he should probably have been replaced first," the President remarked. In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko noted that Vladimir Semashko is a sufficiently experienced person and a high-level specialist. "Despite being over sixty, any young person could envy his diligence. Yes, he has shortcomings, a tough and abrupt character. He cannot remain silent. But this can be tolerated and forgiven. Today, there is no worthy replacement for an experienced and qualified person named Semashko. But this does not mean that if something suddenly happens, we will not find a replacement. I have options, but they are currently weaker than Semashko. Therefore, I am very much counting on his diligence, effectiveness, and focus in his work," the President noted.
Speaking about Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Kalinin, the Head of State emphasized that this Deputy Prime Minister needs to take tough and decisive steps to improve the housing and communal services sector and the construction industry. "There are more than enough problems in housing and communal services and construction, for which Kalinin is primarily responsible. We have made decisions. A commission on housing and communal services, on construction, has been working. I would not say that we have made much progress there. Therefore, Anatoly Nikolaevich (Kalinin), act in the way we have defined – toughly and decisively. I want to say that our ministers are also responsible for the situation," said Alexander Lukashenko.
The Head of State also negatively assessed the fact that six months after the republican meeting on construction, the State Control Committee found that the decisions made were not being properly implemented. "Remember: God forbid people complain that we have delayed the construction of some house somewhere. I have already said that you should not start this hassle, the name of which is housing construction, if you do not see the prospect of completing this house on time. People should not be offended," Alexander Lukashenko drew attention. He added: "Almost all of us have apartments. We live quite well. We must not forget that at this time, thousands, hundreds of thousands of people do not have their own housing. If they collect these miserable pennies from all relatives, strive to earn money and invest in housing, and then you cut it down at the stage of completing construction – this is unacceptable," the Head of State emphasized.
The President noted that it is necessary to put oneself in the shoes of this ordinary person who is waiting for an apartment as if it were manna from heaven. Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that often after the commissioning of housing, work still needs to be done for more than one day to eliminate all shortcomings. "In the Minsk region and in Minsk, I have already taught many. One mayor is already gone, and the governor of the Minsk region has been seriously warned in this regard about the inadmissibility of a charlatan approach to housing construction. Moreover, we agreed, and this norm is still in effect today, that there is a guarantee for a new construction object. And if there are shortcomings, we will, in the name of the revolution, force builders and responsible persons to eliminate the defects in a particular object at their own expense," the President emphasized.
In turn, speaking about Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy, the President said that he would continue to oversee the development of agriculture. "We will thoroughly consider the priority issues within his area of responsibility at a broad republican meeting in the first quarter of next year. This meeting will be dedicated to agriculture," the President said. He recalled that recently a lot has been said about the sale of agricultural products. "Mikhail Ivanovich (Rusy), it's time to aim higher. I will no longer trade food products for you," the President said, referring to the situation with the supply of Belarusian products to the Russian market. "Act, solve these issues, there must be momentum," added Alexander Lukashenko.
As for the main task of Belarus's socio-economic policy, as the head of state noted, it is care for the person. Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that creating comfortable living conditions for people is the ultimate goal of the Belarusian state. "And remember this: people do not need any handouts if they are offended, and no money is needed if there is no justice, if a person is offended at their workplace," the President believes. "This is the main right of a person - to work, and if they worked well, to hear 'thank you' from their supervisor. We must not, under any circumstances, belittle a person or allow them to be abused." According to the President, a person should be proud to live in this country.
After introducing the new Prime Minister, Alexander Lukashenko answered journalists' questions. Among the topics discussed were the recent negotiations between the Belarusian leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which issues concerning the supply of Belarusian products were addressed. During the meeting of the heads of state, solutions were outlined for the most pressing issues of bilateral relations. In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko was asked to comment on whether this means there will be no restrictions or discrimination in the matter of access to the EAEU market.
"That this will not happen again, probably cannot happen. This can only happen in a fairy tale, that we will no longer have any disputes," the Head of State noted. The President characterized the conversation with Vladimir Putin as tough, but extremely business-like. "This is not the first such discussion. This does not mean that we have antagonism. We are simply friends, and we can openly tell each other what concerns us," the Head of State noted.
Disputes will arise due to clashes with the interests of Russian producers, who see Belarusian ones as primary competitors, believes Alexander Lukashenko. "They cannot compete with us in terms of quality, price, or our organization. Therefore, they resort to such administrative, sometimes bandit-like methods. We are ready for this. We are hardened people," the President emphasized.
Answering a question about the development of Belarusian-Russian relations after the EAEU came into force, Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence that the Union State format has not been exhausted in any way. "In the Eurasian Economic Union, God grant that we achieve the same depth of integration as we have with the Russian Federation. This is not even close yet," the Belarusian leader stated.
The President was also asked to comment on the results of the recent meeting in Minsk of the OSCE-Russia-Ukraine contact group. "We agreed on little, but we made a decision on the exchange of prisoners. And this exchange, as we see in the media, has begun," he noted.
"I think that the next meeting is not far off. But no decision has been made on it. There is no alternative - we must meet and agree," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the Head of State also stated: "This is not someone else's conflict. It is at our doorstep." "We must try to do our utmost to de-escalate this conflict. Or, perhaps, to eliminate it. And if we are capable of doing this, we, men, and I as the Commander-in-Chief, will do it," Alexander Lukashenko continued. - We are not asking for it, we are not getting involved, and we have never gotten involved. If asked, we will do it, if we can. If not asked, decide for yourselves."
The President commented on the speculations disseminated by some media outlets regarding the intentions to use Belarusian servicemen as peacekeepers. "If our servicemen go somewhere as peacekeepers, I will be the first to go there so they know. And my eldest son, who is currently dealing with these issues, will also be there," said the Head of State. "I wasn't going to send anyone anywhere, and I'm already being subjected to some criticism," the President added.
Alexander Lukashenko revealed some details of his recent talks with the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko. "The main problem, considering the talks held with the President of Ukraine, is the disengagement of the parties. There is contact between the Ukrainian army and the militias. They need to be separated by at least 30 kilometers. And this zone needs to be controlled to prevent these clashes and to withdraw heavy weapons," the President emphasized.
Another problem for Ukraine is to "close the border with Russia." "There is huge distrust there. The President directly said that if Belarusians could help us in this regard even in some way, I would be grateful," the Head of State stressed. Alexander Lukashenko suggested that his Ukrainian counterpart decide how and in what way Belarus could help solve these problems.
In addition, journalists asked the Head of State to assess the fact that a number of media outlets named him Politician of the Year and to express his attitude towards such ratings.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that he was pleased that "they saw him not as a dictator, but, apparently, as a normal person. Otherwise, these statements would not have been made." At the same time, the Head of State said that he viewed this with some irony. "This is some kind of anomaly. This should not have happened. How? Yesterday a terrible person, and today - the most popular." "Thanks to those people who saw us; this is beneficial for Belarus first and foremost," Alexander Lukashenko added.
Journalists were also interested in how the Head of State planned to celebrate the upcoming New Year. Alexander Lukashenko admitted that the New Year holidays for him are an occasion to help those in need, rather than to have a noisy feast. "I celebrate the New Year with my little one. He doesn't sleep at that time, he watches all these New Year's party shows," the President noted.
"The main thing for me is not this. The main thing for me is children and the elderly. I live these pre-New Year days primarily with this. I must show the whole country, everyone who is well-off, that they should go to those who are in need, pay attention to them, help them," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko, adding that a series of charity New Year's celebrations had taken place in Belarus over the past two weeks.
News of Belarus (BELTA)