Deputy PM: reignite integration

Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Petkevich announced that in Belarus, 'we are stepping back from the enthusiasm of integration' and emphasized the need to restore 'fire' in national policy. According to her, the head of state and other leaders 'are afraid of compromises every time' and 'cling to sovereignty,' which leads to delays and disagreements. Petkevich stresses the current need to make conscious joint decisions and sometimes sacrifice one's own interests for the common good, but states that now 'there is retreat' and 'we argue over trifles.' In her opinion, this hinders solving the country's real problems. The Belarusian government claims that 'Belarus is stronger when we move forward together.'

The statement was made during a recent discussion on foreign economic policy and the level of cooperation with partners.

Context

In recent years, Belarus has been developing strategies for closer ties with various trade partners, including Russia, and actively assessing the level of external integration.