MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – Belarus has developed a final stance on its participation in the Customs Union. The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has held a meeting on the Customs Union formation on 23 November, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service. Taking part in the meeting were Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Makei, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB)...

ZHLOBIN, 20 November (BelTA) – The programme of events dedicated to the Year of the Native Land is being implemented, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Boris Batura said at an on-site meeting that highlighted the cooperation between the local government bodies under the Council of the Republic on 20 November. The session focused on the activity of the local councils of deputies of the Zhlobin region within the framework of the Year of the Native...

MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – In January-October 2009, the Major Monetary Management Guidelines were fulfilled, Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) Piotr Prokopovich told President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 19 November, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service. The Belarusian ruble exchange rate against the basket of foreign currencies remains within plus/minus 10% band. Over the last years, the National Bank of Belarus has...

MINSK, 13 November (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has given an instruction to find those guilty of the failure of the Belarusian semiconductor company Integral to launch submicron technology manufacturing and to straighten out the situation. The head of state set the task as he visited the Minsk-based manufacturing corporation Integral on 13 November. Alexander Lukashenko was supposed to get familiar with the progress in implementing a project for launching submicron...

MINSK, 12 November (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has suggested to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev that the two countries should aim for joint projects of a larger scale. The Belarusian head of state made the relevant statement during a broader participation meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart on 12 November, BelTA has learned. “So far in the present complicated conditions of the global financial and economic crisis, the strategic goal is reaching larger scale...

MINSK, 11 November (BelTA) - In January-October 2009 Belarus’ gold and foreign exchange reserves calculated using IMF methods increased by 44.9% ($1373.4 million) to a total of $4434.5 million. The reserves were up 14.3% or by $555.7 million in October, BelTA learnt from the Information Office of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB). In line with the methods used by the International Monetary Fund, Belarus’ international reserves are defined as marketable foreign assets,...

MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – The improvement of the electoral legislation in Belarus will not require introducing changes to the Constitution, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at a cabinet session held on 10 November to discuss the improvement of the electoral legislation. “There is no need and no time to hold another referendum on changes in the Constitution,” Alexander Lukashenko said. The President said that the measures to improve the electoral legislation in...

MINSK, 9 November (BelTA) – The religious policy pursued in Belarus is the key to civil peace and accord in the society, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with representatives of various religious confessions, who are participating in the international conference, Christian-Judaic dialogue: religious values as the foundation for mutual respect in a civil society during the global economic crisis. Today it is important not to stir up inter-confessional animosity but...

KIEV, 5 November (BelTA) – Relations between Belarus and Ukraine resemble strategic partnership more and more. Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement in his speech before the Academic Council of the T. Shevchenko National University of Kiev on 5 November. “The existing system of political, trade and economic, educational, cultural and other ties between our countries is a solid foundation for consequent dynamic development of the bilateral relations,” remarked the Belarusian...

MINSK, 4 November (BelTA) – The European Union and other international institutions, as well as national governments of European countries started to realize the importance of treating Belarus as an equal partner, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with a delegation of German businessmen on 4 November. “Although Belarus is not seeking the EU membership, it really demonstrates its interest in a closer engagement with the European Union,” the Belarusian head of...