Plans with Iran and Venezuela, announcement of a new trip to Africa and focus on strategic projects. Main results of the President's week

ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting on improving the system of planning and monitoring the implementation of strategic projects Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela Ivan Gil Pinto Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting on improving the system of planning and monitoring the implementation of strategic projects Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela Ivan Gil Pinto Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue 123 Topic news

The work schedule of the President of Belarus is always very eventful. Alexander Lukashenko holds meetings and working meetings on the most pressing issues of the country's development, regularly visits the regions, makes foreign visits and himself receives foreign guests, communicates with journalists, signs decrees and laws... And even when there are no public events, this does not mean at all that The HEAD of state is not working. However, even during rest, be it hockey training or chopping wood, Alexander Lukashenko will find a reason for another assignment. As he likes to say, everything must be based on life.

The "Week of the President" project is for those who want to keep up with the head of state, to be aware of the most current statements and decisions of the Belarusian leader.

The main results of the international meetings of the President that took place this week: how Belarus and Iran are resisting sanctions and what is most important at the moment; when Lukashenko plans to travel to Equatorial Guinea; what should a review of relations with Venezuela provide and what gap needs to be eliminated in the development of cooperation with Mordovia.

And also about the implementation of large-scale strategic projects in the country. Why even the instructions of the head of state are not always carried out on time, whose lies sometimes interfere with the work, what kind of return Lukashenko expects from scientists, when this area will undergo a comprehensive check and whether the council under the President will help establish effective work. All this and more in the new issue of BELTA’s special project “Week of the President”.

TIME IS EVERYTHING. Why sanctions are not the main problem for Belarus and Iran

On October 17, Alexander Lukashenko met in MINSK with First Vice-President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber.

“I hope you will not be disappointed with your visit. There are many questions, there is something to talk about. Therefore, I also hope that our conversation will have a good practical result,” the head of state welcomed the Iranian guest. “You know the situation in which Belarus is. This approximately the same situation that you are in. The pressure put on our states is unprecedented, but you have already learned to resist it to some extent and your experience is very important for us. What constantly surprises me is that during these large-scale actions During this period, Iran did not reduce its level of development at all, but, on the contrary, increased significantly."

In March 2023, Alexander Lukashenko Iran. Then the presidents agreed to develop an action plan for the foreseeable future so that trade turnover between the countries and cooperation in general would develop more successfully. Following the negotiations, Alexander Lukashenko and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a roadmap for comprehensive cooperation between the countries for 2023-2026.

“The most important and important thing. Based on the experience of relations with Iran, based on many years of cooperation with Iran, I conclude that your and our bureaucracy must learn to work very quickly. If we agree on something, it must be fulfilled on time "The most important thing for us is not sanctions and pressure, but time. And in no case can we lose this time as a result of bureaucratic obstacles," the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting with First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber

Alexander Lukashenko noted that the situation in the world is heating up, and the crisis in the Middle East contributes to the fact that unfriendly Western countries led by the United States of America are constantly directing the spearhead of this conflict against Iran. “You feel it better. Our answer is one: we must work more closely with each other, cooperate together to resist these attacks,” the President said.

In 2022, Belarusian-Iranian trade turnover exceeded $100 million, which is three times the level of 2021. This year the dynamics are also positive. In January-August, the countries traded for $62.5 million, which is 26% higher than last year’s figures. Belarusian exports are growing every year. The country supplies Iran with potash fertilizers, timber, cellulose, and synthetic fibers. Vegetables, fruits and nuts, vaccines, blood serums, and blood are imported.

AUDIT OF COOPERATION. Is there a chance for a speedy restoration of cooperation between Belarus and Venezuela?

The President had another meeting on October 17 with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Ivan Gil Pinto.

“It’s good that you came to Belarus, it’s very timely. I think we don’t need to get to know each other, we don’t need to talk about our capabilities and the capabilities of Venezuela in our cooperation. We have known each other for a long time and have done a lot in our time to intensify our interaction,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The President noted that due to certain reasons (primarily external), interaction between the countries has paused. “I feel that we need to revise all those areas and issues of cooperation that we have identified since the time of Hugo Chavez. We must clearly determine what we should and can do for Venezuela, and what Venezuela should do in relation to Belarus. Develop an appropriate plan , a road map of our actions for the short and medium term, and perhaps even the long term," said the head of state. "If other states, say Cuba, have to be included in this cooperation scheme, we agree. In a word, if you agree, then until the new year We will be ready, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be ready to implement these agreements."

Ivan Gil Pinto first of all conveyed great greetings to Alexander Lukashenko from the President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro. The head of the foreign policy department noted that he fully shares the opinion of the President of Belarus regarding relations between the two countries - they are quite strong and have gone through more than 20 years of strengthening. The entire range of cooperation between the two countries was discussed at the meeting of the foreign ministers of Belarus and Venezuela, Ivan Gil Pinto recalled. The parties, he said, have outlined plans for the near future.

Following the meeting with the head of state, the Venezuelan minister confirmed to journalists the parties’ intention to restart relations in the economic and industrial spheres. “We intend to do this in the near future. As a first step, as we announced, the next meeting of the joint commission on trade and economic cooperation will be held in Minsk. It is scheduled for November 28-29. Ministers of both countries and heads of enterprises will take part in this meeting And during the event, we will specifically discuss the state of affairs and the directions in which we will move further,” said Ivan Gil Pinto.

According to him, other topics of bilateral cooperation were also discussed during the negotiations: the energy sector, agriculture , tourism and other areas. “We will make every effort to not only restart our bilateral relations, but to bring them to an even higher level,” the Venezuelan guest assured. “Thus, we have very close fruitful work ahead, a large amount of work awaits us, and we We are focused on further developing not only our political contacts, but also strengthening our trade and economic cooperation.

BUSINESS PLUS PERSONAL. Where Belarus and Mordovia are breaking records, and where there is a clear gap

On October 19, Alexander Lukashenko continued the practice of regular meetings with the leaders of the regions of the Russian Federation with negotiations with the head of the Republic of Mordovia Artem Zdunov.

Welcoming the delegation, the President noted that for the head of Mordovia this visit to Belarusian soil is not just a work visit: “You are touching the heroic history of your family. Belarus remembers the feat of senior sergeant Vasily Zdunov committed during the Patriotic War (Great Patriotic War - BELTA note) Fedorovich - Hero of the Soviet Union."

In this regard, the President welcomed the initiative of the head of Mordovia to establish sister city ties between the Chervensky district of the Minsk region, where the brother of Artem Zdunov’s grandfather fought, and his homeland - the Atyashevsky municipal district of Mordovia.

Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting with the head of the Republic of Mordovia of the Russian Federation Artem Zdunov

“And our battles today continue in the fields, in factories, in the cultural, information spheres, in schools and universities - for our truth, our development prospects, our right to be sovereign and independent. All this will happen if we have a strong economy. This is the basis everything,” the Belarusian leader noted.

Last year, the parties achieved a record trade turnover - almost $90 million. But already at the end of eight months of 2023 they significantly exceeded it - the growth rate was almost 300%, or $115.7 million. “And this is far from the limit. Resources for further development in this “We have enough in terms of plan,” the President is convinced.

The parties, according to him, traditionally actively cooperate in mechanical engineering and metallurgy, chemistry and petrochemistry, electronics, and agro-industrial complex. Almost 15% of Belarus' fiber needs are also met by imports from Mordovia.

The head of state especially thanked the head of Mordovia for the prompt assistance provided in the supply of railway cars for the needs of Belaruskali and other Belarusian enterprises.

Belarusian business entities, in turn, EXPORT a wide range of engineering and machine tool products, woodworking, chemical and light industry products, agricultural raw materials and food products .

At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko also pointed out a clear gap in relations - the absence of bilateral production and cooperation projects. And the head of state drew the attention of the Belarusian government to this. “But now is the right time for the development of industrial cooperation, primarily joint import-substituting production, promising production,” he said. “Moreover, as they report to me, Mordovia is among the leaders in RUSSIA in terms of the share of innovative products in the volume of industrial production.” .

The leading innovative areas of Mordovia - optical fiber and pharmaceuticals - are of great interest to Belarus. The parties could also cooperate in creating joint ventures in micro- and radioelectronics. In addition, it would be interesting for domestic specialists to participate in the creation of the Federal Biotechnology Center in Mordovia.

“Taking into account pandemics around the world, the topic of drug safety has acquired special importance, which will only increase. This is one of the investments in the future not only of our countries, but of the whole world,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

It is possible that common ground can be found in terms of plans to create, together with Russian partners, an aircraft for regional transportation.

The President noted the interest of the Belarusian side in cooperation with the Ruzkhimmash company in the development of foundry production and the production of equipment for the chemical industry. They also discussed our country’s readiness to share experience and technologies for using secondary resources, including synthetic RDF fuel, to produce thermal energy. “The topic is not easy, but very, very promising,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The head of state also welcomed the initiative of Mordovia to create a multifunctional center for the sale and technical support of Belarusian-made equipment.

“I consider it very useful to exchange experience in the field of organic farming, modern agricultural technologies and processing of agricultural products, selection work and breeding,” the President continued. “We could also expand cooperation in the supply of agricultural products and food.

Overall there are a lot of interesting things. Including in the fields of construction, housing and communal services, and in the humanitarian field. “The most important thing is to give our youth the opportunity to communicate,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

FRIENDS AT THE EQUATOR. When to expect a new Presidential trip to the African continent

On October 19, Alexander Lukashenko also held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea, Simeon Oyono Esono Angue. “Fortunately, we have been working very intensively with your country lately in order to develop a specific plan for our relations. I will definitely try to visit you in the near future. We have already planned this. We will figure out the dates. But most importantly, so that we have a clear idea of ​​how to build the economy, trade and economic relations between our countries,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

In September, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was visited in Minsk. And during the current meeting, Alexander Lukashenko recalled what the main proposal of the Belarusian side for the development of cooperation is: “I have already told the President of Equatorial Guinea and I want to emphasize once again that Belarus has all the technologies to raise your country to a higher level. You are in this very interested as well. The essence of our proposals is (and I also said during your President’s visit) that we are ready not only to sell you the products you need, we are ready not only to transfer you technology, but we are ready to train your people to work in the conditions of these technologies. And it would be good (this is the second direction) if we were able to create a production base in Equatorial Guinea that could work at least for neighboring states."

Alexander Lukashenko considers the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea as the main stage in preparing for a future new meeting between the two leaders.

Alexander Lukashenko

Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, in turn, thanked the Belarusian leader for the meeting and conveyed to him a message from the President of Equatorial Guinea.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora of Equatorial Guinea arrived in Belarus at the head of a large delegation. It included the ministers of agriculture, livestock and land development, HEALTH and social security, forests and environment, social and housing construction and urban planning, deputy ministers of trade, industry and business development, culture, tourism and crafts development, finance and budget .

Simeon Oyono Esono Angue

In Minsk on October 18-19, the governments of Belarus and Equatorial Guinea held a joint standing commission on trade and economic cooperation. At the same time, the interstate procedure for the entry into force of the framework agreement on cooperation was completed.

Equatorial Guinea as a gateway to West and Central Africa. The issue of creating a production and logistics hub for Belarusian products there, which will be used, among other things, to supply goods to neighboring countries, is being considered.

FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY. How a system for implementing strategic projects will be built in Belarus

On October 20, the President convened a meeting on the issue of improving the system of planning and monitoring the implementation of strategic projects. “This is the future not only of any system, but also of any country as a whole. Strategic projects, if we talk about Belarus, are the future of our country,” he emphasized the importance of the topic.

The purpose of the meeting, as the head of state explained, was to discuss how to improve the system of planning and control over the implementation of strategic projects. And in this direction, everything is important - from the idea to its implementation and guaranteed economic effect.

“The shock reconfiguration in global political, economic, and financial relations encourages each country to think not only about protective and compensatory measures. It is necessary to calculate the strategic prospects for the development of the national economy (and therefore the state), that is, look into the future,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting on improving the system of planning and monitoring the implementation of strategic projects

About lies and disinformation

Alexander Lukashenko warned that control over the implementation of instructions will be the most serious. “When we make a decision, we don’t always implement it. We implement it at the wrong time - this is already the norm. But what worries me most lately (I already talked about this somewhere) is that our government, instead of dealing with concrete things , begins to lie and misinform the President in order to show himself in the best light,” the head of state noted.

However, Alexander Lukashenko clarified that such lies have not become a tradition in the country and the occurrence of such situations is still an extreme case. “Looking in a distorting mirror, we will not hold the country. And we will not give it new impulses, no matter what strategic plans we have,” the Belarusian leader warned.

About examples of strategic projects

Strategic projects, according to the President, can be implemented in various sectors. For example, to deepen existing technological processes in mechanical engineering and agriculture. In each of the areas there is an opportunity and need to go deeper. Technologies are clear, schools exist, personnel know in which direction to move.

As one example, the President cited the construction of the Svetlogorsk pulp and cardboard mill. Initially, it was planned to simply build a plant for the production of cellulose and export it. However, this led to the fact that Belarus, in fact, sold semi-finished products to other countries , and then imported goods made from them. Therefore, subsequently, on behalf of the head of state, production in Svetlogorsk was expanded so that the plant could produce products with greater added value, use them in their own country and export them to other markets.

“As far as I understand, we are finishing building this workshop?” - Alexander Lukashenko clarified with the governor of the Gomel region.

“Yes,” confirmed Ivan Krupko.

“And no matter how difficult it is, we equip it with technological equipment,” the President added. “Here is an indicator of one of the small strategic projects, which was implemented in about one and a half to two years. We are implementing this project, deepening what we have today. And This is the basis for our further development."

Another direction is the creation of completely new production facilities. One of these projects was the construction of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant and the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation. We took up their implementation with the persistent encouragement of the head of state. The construction of a nuclear facility, in particular, led to the emergence of a new industry in the country.

“Two sites were chosen, one station was built. And today our consumption of nuclear energy in relation to total electricity consumption is higher than in the United States of America and even in Russia. We replace about a quarter of the total with peaceful nuclear energy. Today I will carefully let you down "It would be nice to have a second nuclear power plant in the country. This is very, very profitable," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

According to him, such studies are underway at the initial stage. “Either we add two blocks on the existing site, or in the Mogilev region, where we have a second site, we build two more blocks. And then we will get more than half of the electricity from the nuclear power plant. A clean, very profitable product,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

The most large-scale projects in Belarus include the organization of production of passenger cars. During the grand opening of the BELGIE plant in November 2017, Alexander Lukashenko said that his dream of producing his own passenger car in Belarus had come true. Over the years, the level of localization at the plant has increased significantly, and production volumes have increased significantly. Today we can say with confidence that the Belarusian Geely has become a truly people's car.

“Today it’s already the turn for Geely. Both beautiful cars in appearance and high quality. True, now Parkhomchika and Snopkov are working with all my heart, so that they (the directions. - BELTA’s note) develop further. Today we have already aimed at more than 30-40 thousand . cars per year, but by 120 thousand,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President recalled that they intend to create production in Belarus in cooperation with the Chinese FAV Group. The corporation's most famous brand is the Hongqi passenger car ("Hongqi" - translated as "red banner").

“We’ll show it to the people in the near future. We started producing a new brand of cars. You see how life has turned: cars are in demand. And Geely already ranks first in sales in Belarus. In Russia they are praying, asking: “Sell.” Queues appeared. When did this happen? "This suggests that we need to do this. And we need to see the prospects," the head of state noted.

“These are strategic projects that will raise the country two or three levels higher than it is now. This is new. And we need to move in this direction if we, boasting that we are so smart and advanced, want to prove it in practice. This is very profitable, and this is necessary,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko

On due diligence and impact from the scientific field

The head of state drew attention to the fact that over thirty years a whole network of research institutes in various fields has been formed in Belarus. However, among them there are those that need serious reform. In this regard, the President reminded the government of his demand to review the number and structure of research institutes so that “in spirit there are no those that are only listed and do not produce results.” Moreover, this requirement also applies to departmental institutions, including in the fields of healthcare, labor and social protection, sports, culture and others.

Alexander Lukashenko also mentioned the work of the Committee on Science and Technology and the National Academy of Sciences. The latter, by the way, is awaiting a comprehensive audit. “In winter, the Academy of Sciences must be subjected to the most serious analysis. God willing, it will be as the head of the Academy of Sciences reports to us: today they are doing everything - from drones to powdered MILK products that are sold to CHINA. They are doing everything. Let’s see if this is so . I mean electric cars and so on,” the President said.

Continuing the conversation about the activities of Belarusian scientists, Alexander Lukashenko noted that their research , analytical work, forecasts of scientific and technological progress for decades to come, of course, are needed. “But we must admit that for some reason the real sector of the economy does not strive to use the works of scientists en masse,” the President noted. “Not all new developments reach production.” According to him, not many truly large, breakthrough projects have been created during this time.

“Yes, we built a nuclear power plant, BNBK (Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation - BELTA note), we produce the largest quarry equipment on the planet, we have space programs, we develop and test innovative biomedicine products that have no analogues in the world. However, they were taken on only by at the request of the President,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

“Where are the projects born in the depths of wild labor and work, in the depths of the Academy of Sciences? Where are they?” - he asked a rhetorical question.

“As we see, there are gaps. First of all, in the planning of strategic projects, objects of high (5th and 6th) technological structures,” the head of state stated.

About the "brain core" for strategic projects

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that back in the spring he instructed the government, the Academy of Sciences and his assistant Alexander Kosinets to work on the topic of creating a so-called brain core in the country, capable of evaluating and supervising large-scale projects. By the way, such projects have already been identified.

“We need a center that, under the President, on behalf of the President, next to the President, will see what is happening and force all of you to implement these projects,” the head of state explained.

The government presented the head of state with an option with two main structures: a center that generates ideas and calculates their economic impact, and a council where decisions are made on the viability and relevance of such ideas. It is assumed that the final decision on the largest projects will be made by the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko asked to report on how those who will directly implement the production facility are integrated into this chain, and whether it really is impossible to do without a new center. “There can be no question that a new unique “government” or “ministry” will appear. We must proceed from this,” he emphasized.

The President drew special attention to the role of governors in the implementation of strategic projects: “You are not strangers, remember: the failure of a state project on your territory is your failure.”

As Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Ermolovich reported, problematic issues that arise during the planning and implementation of major investment projects were analyzed, foreign and Soviet experience in creating large-scale production was studied. For example, the center of large-scale projects in the USSR was the State Planning Committee of the Council of Ministers (Gosplan), which controlled the implementation of national economic plans, coordinated and financed feasibility studies of scientific and design organizations throughout the country, and implemented projects for especially large enterprises and union construction projects.

Objectively, today in Belarus there is no single center that determines large-scale investment projects and capital investments. The development process is decentralized and is carried out according to proposals from republican government bodies, regional executive committees or investors. And the most significant projects in the history of sovereign Belarus were initiated directly by the head of state, but even with such introductions, the implementation of projects took place in conditions of insufficient interdepartmental interaction; implementers were faced with the need to re-discuss, agree and justify investments.

As a result of the meeting, the following proposal was recognized as basic: the creation of a Council for large-scale, strategic investment projects under the President of Belarus. This will be a powerful intellectual institution, built into the public administration system, which will analyze and propose such strategic projects to the President.

Regarding the organization of the center for strategic projects, during the discussion the need to give additional impetus to the Ministry of Economy was noted. The department needs to organize work in such a way that projects developed by scientists , proposed by enterprises and investors undergo appropriate scientific and technical expertise, and subsequently the Ministry of Economy prepares a justification for such technological projects, looks at their payback and economic effect.

“The council will, among other things, accompany the implementation of these projects, including with the involvement of all government bodies that have competence,” said the deputy head of the Presidential Administration.

FATHER'S CONCERNS. How does the President see the image of a responsible head of a family?

On October 21, Alexander Lukashenko congratulated his compatriots on Father’s Day.

“This holiday emphasizes the special role of men in strengthening the traditional Belarusian family,” the congratulations say. “Fatherly concerns cover a wide range of responsibilities and require patience, attention, hard work and moral maturity. The head of the family serves as an unconditional example for his children, helping them to become comprehensively developed and worthy people, true patriots."

The image of a responsible father, who with age turns into the role of a caring grandfather, only strengthens the connection between generations and creates the basis for continuing the traditions of the family, the Belarusian leader noted.

“I am sincerely proud that in our country there are many reliable men who are devoted to their native Belarus and always stand up for the well-being, fair and decent life of their loved ones,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized and wished everyone good health, happiness, peace and goodness.

As BelTA reported, a week earlier Belarus celebrated Mother's Day. The head of state also congratulated his compatriots on this holiday. And in the interval between these dates, Parents’ Week took place in the country, full of events of various scales and formats.

NEW SEASON. How the President's ice team started at the republican amateur tournament

On the ice of the capital's Olympic Arena, the hockey team of the President of Belarus beat the team of the Brest region with a score of 7:2 (3:1, 0:0, 4:1) in the first match of the Republican Hockey League. Alexander Lukashenko earned two assistant points.

Traditionally, during breaks in a hockey match, spectators saw performances by Belarusian pop singers. The most active fans took part in competitions right on the ice, the winners of which won prizes from the Presidential Sports Club. Other fans were not left without gifts: immediately after the final siren, they received dozens of toys from the players of the President’s team. Young students of Dynamo Moscow, who are competing in an international tournament in Minsk, presented Alexander Lukashenko with the jersey of their famous club.

The presidential team is a 14-time winner of the republican amateur tournament, with hockey players from the Gomel and Minsk regions having one title each. The organizers of the amateur hockey tournament are the Presidential Sports Club, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism and the Minsk City Executive Committee.

Alexander Lukashenko