Lukashenka won’t be “breaking the social state scheme” for the IMF’s sake

Aliaksandr Lukashenka stated that as he met with Peter Dohlman, International Monetary Fund Mission Chief for Belarus, on 17 November.

Whether the IMF likes it or not, Belarus is not going to break the social state scheme, Lukashenka said to Dohlman.

At the same time, the proposals of the IMF regarding the prospects of cooperation with Belarus do not provoke rejection, BelTA quotes the head of state. Aliaksandr Lukashenka noted that he is familiar with the proposals of the IMF regarding the prospects of cooperation with Belarus and the main aspects of the future program.

In his words, the proposals of the fund rely on the absolutely objective laws of the economy and life. “There is a formula: one should pay for services such as electricity, heat, transport, etc. in full,” the head of state said. Aliaksandr Lukashenka said that the terms are the main issue. “I do not think there will be strong misunderstanding regarding these terms and the terms in general. We also want to fulfill the proposals we have worked out together as soon as possible,” the President said.

The head of state noted with satisfaction that Belarus and the IMF strictly fulfill the agreement to elaborate the program, which should serve as a foundation of cooperation.

“EuroBelarus” Information Service recalls that the IMF mission has been working in Belarus from November 9 up to now. Experts arrived by invitation of the official Minsk to discuss a three-year loan program. The program presupposes deep structural reforms, “aimed at enhancing the role of private sector in economic decision-making”.

However, many experts believe, that we are not to expect structural reforms any time soon.