In addition to efficient treatment of COVID-19, Belarus should ensure the continuity of essential health services, including a cancer service, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

We need to promote industrial cooperation in high-tech industries in the Eurasian Economic Union, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Mikhail Myasnikovich said at the Digital Almaty Forum 2021 on 4 February.

Employer-sponsored education programs will get a new lease on life, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with representatives of the country's academic community on 5 February.

We held brief presentations of the two regions and the two chambers. Cooperation and various areas of mutual interest for business were also on the agenda of our meeting, the BelCCI Mogilev Office said in a statement.

Today the country needs new breakthrough, efficient and innovative technologies, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony to award doctoral and professor certificates on 5 February.

In January 2021 the level of gold and foreign exchange reserves was maintained thanks to the foreign currency budget revenue, including revenues from selling government bonds nominated in foreign currency by the Finance Ministry.

Belarus welcomes the decision to renew the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms of 8 April 2010 for 5 years.

The document provides for extending the existing conditions for business activities in agroecotourism through 2025, including preferential loans of Belagroprombank to up to 2,000 base amounts at 5% per annum for up to 5 years.

“Belarus boasts the largest IT cluster in Eastern Europe - the Hi-Tech Park. In 2020, its export exceeded $2.5 billion, which is more than 20% of the total export of services of Belarus,” said Roman Golovchenko.

According to Belarus' prime minister, the implementation of the EAEU digital agenda does not lead to the development of national segments. More attention is paid to the development of centralized services, which, according to the Belarusian side, may...

The region has been actively working with China. “Last year we exported $91 million worth of goods to China, up one third from 2019,” the vice governor said.

Member of the Board (Minister) for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission Sergei Glazyev, said this during an online press conference from Almaty on 4 February.

The decree lets the Development Bank of Belarus extend export loans to residents of Belarus for the production of goods, works and services and their subsequent sale to non-residents in 2021-2022.

“As for the food security, we can feed ourselves. If by food security we mean food supply, quality and safety of food, then the coronavirus pandemic had absolutely little impact in this part,” said Artak Kamalyan.

The main goal in municipal solid waste management is to improve the effectiveness of its use, the minister pointed out.

"Sanctions do no one any good. I can say that anti-Russian sanctions have done even more damage to the European Union than they have to us, it is such a double-edged sword,” Sergei Glazyev said.

There are no plans to introduce a single currency in the EAEU, there is no such discussion as there are no necessary preconditions for it, Member of the Board (Minister) for Economy and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission Timur Zhaks...

Following yesterday's 56-68 defeat to Poland, Belarus took a 67-56 win over the UK on 4 February.

The Belarusian harvester manufacturer Gomselmash and the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia's Tula Oblast have signed a cooperation agreement, BelTA learned from Gomselmash.

Belarus would like to launch new projects with Kyrgyzstan, Belarus' Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at the meeting with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Ulukbek Maripov in Almaty.

Belavia will fly to Saint Petersburg on Fridays as of 12 February. Flights to Rostov-on-Don will be performed on Saturdays with return flights to Minsk on Sundays.

The participants of the consultations also discussed the prospects for expanding cooperation of the CIS countries in the areas of security and countering new challenges and threats, and also foreign policy, humanitarian and economic cooperation.

Foreign students will be able to enroll in the master's program in international trade (economics, politics, law) that has been launched at Belarusian State University (BSU). The new major is available in English and is part of the World Economy spec...

In 2020, resident companies of the free economic zone (FEZ) Grodnoinvest produced more than $330 million worth of import-substituting products.

The national action plan provided for upgrading a seismic monitoring network and deploying permanent seismic stations. At present a temporary network is used. An upgraded network will be commissioned to monitor the geodynamic stability during the sta...

The agreement on the common gas market in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is to be signed in 2022; the document will be drafted in 2021, Emil Kaikiev, Member of the Board – Minister in charge of Energy and Infrastructure of the Eurasian Economic...

"Since the connection to the national power grid the BelNPP first unit has produced the first billion kWh of electricity. This electricity was used to meet domestic electricity needs," the Energy Ministry informed.

Speaking about the readiness of BelNPP for various emergency situations, Nikolai Karpenko explained that the plant's design contains “the most advanced technical solutions and engineering surveys”.

Belarusian Ambassador to Nigeria Vyacheslav Bril met with the country's Controller General of Fire Service Liman Alhaji Ibrahim in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

No new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected in Belarus, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry.

Belarus confirmed 1,708 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours; another 1,959 coronavirus patients were discharged from hospital, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Healthcare Ministry.

Stress tests have been carried out at nuclear power plants around the world since the accident at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, caused by the strong earthquake and tsunami.

The Council of the House of Representatives discussed the legislative plan for the upcoming spring session and the plan of international cooperation for 2021.

In 2021, Belarus expects to welcome high-level delegations from Moldova, Austria, and Switzerland and send parliamentary delegations to Egypt and Serbia.

Athletes will be required to use of smartphone applications to report health, to avoid physical contact with others, including shaking hands, to keep a 2-meter distance, to plan their actions.

Ambassador Franklin Ramirez Araque recalled that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Belarus signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations at the UN headquarters on 4 February 1997. Venezuela officially recognized the ind...

Friendly relations between Belarus and Uzbekistan are developing both at the level of presidents and between people, outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Belarus Nasirdjan Yusupov told the media.

At least 500 specialists will be trained for nuclear energy jobs in Belarus in 2021-2025. The Council of Ministers' Resolution No. 57 on the approval of the government program “Education and Youth Policy” has been officially published on the Nati...

The diplomat thanked the Belarusian head of state for the high assessment of his activities. “Three years passed very quickly. We managed to achieve some progress, create the groundwork for the future,” said the ambassador.

Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the Russian Federation, Julio Antonio Garmendia Pena, has been appointed by the Government of Cuba as the permanent representative to the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The quality management and information security systems of the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE) have been certified for compliance with the ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 standards after an audit conducted by the international certification bod...

Belarus-Uzbekistan cooperation has made considerable strides, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Belarus Nasirdjan Yusupov whose mandate in Belarus is expiring.

A good foundation has been created for further development of effective cooperation between Belarus and Uzbekistan, outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Belarus Nasirdjan Yusupov told BelTA.

"You know, if I were Aleksandr Lukashenko, I would thank Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Pavel Latushko, because by making threats these people have done something extremely useful for the government: they have consolidated the supporters of Aleksandr Lukas...

The agreement was signed by Belarus' Economy Minister Aleksandr Chervyakov and Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong.

The forest area is projected to increase to 40.3% of the country's territory, the volume of timber harvesting to 3.2 cubic meters per one hectare, and average annual stock to 225 cubic meters per 1 hectare. At least 580.3km of new forest roads will ...

The government and business need to build up a dialogue of mutual trust, said Irina Babachenok, deputy head of the regional development and property relations department at the Economy Ministry of Belarus.

The project "EU4Digital: Connecting Research and Education Communities (EaPConnect)” shall be coordinated by the National Academy of Sciences, the project "Strengthening cooperation between the EU and the Republic of Belarus in customs affairs" - ...

The adoption of the law on self-regulated organizations will contribute to the dialogue between the government and business, said Tatiana Bykova, the director of the National Foundation for Business Promotion.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko sent greetings to President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the country celebrates the Independence Day.

"The schedule of new flights, the train schedule and the terms of passenger service will be further agreed by the appropriate agencies of Belarus and Russia," the statement reads.

Depending on their age group, the best contestants will receive from 20 to 40 base amounts (as from 1 January 2021, one base amount equals Br29). Eligible to compete are pianists from Belarusian and foreign educational institutions aged 16-25. Appli...

The Business Cooperation Council of the Republic of Belarus and St. Petersburg of the Russian Federation held the 11th meeting via videoconferencing.

Ambassador of Belarus to Turkey Viktor Rybak met with Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy in Ankara on 3 February.

On 5 February the participants of the meeting will discuss an 11-point agenda, including a better use of special protective, anti-dumping and countervailing measures in the EAEU, as well as revision of the lists of countries that use the EAEU unified...

Karyna Dzemidzik of Belarus clinched bronze at the the Banskobystrica Latka high jump meeting in Slovakia, BelTA has learned.

The National Marketing Center of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesia Trade, Tourism and Investment Club (ITTIC) signed a memorandum of cooperation and mutual support in the development of trade and economic relations.

“The epidemiological situation has stabilized in Belarus and Russia. It is clear that Belarus is a much smaller country, but the pandemic is losing potency in all regions of the country,” Dmitry Pinevich said.

The conversation took place in the run-up to the 6th Belarusian People's Congress. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation has been invited to take part in it.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to China Yuri Senko held online negotiations with Ni Yuefeng, Minister for General Administration of Customs of China, and other top officials of the administration.

“I think it is a big step forward [today's decisions of the Russian government to resume rail service and increase flight frequency with Belarus]. Our future projects will let us move more intensively in this direction,” Anna Popova said.

The air carrier will operate three flights a week between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Minsk National Airport (MSQ). Departure from Minsk is at 00.50, arrival in Dubai at 07.45.

According to the state program, Belarus sport rankings in the unofficial team standings according to the results of the Olympic Games should not go below 25th place.

“The sanitary services of our states have been closely and fruitfully interacting since the beginning of the pandemic. Of course, the pandemic has left a lasting imprint on the economies of our countries, on communication. All this has taken its to...

The Belarusian government is set to earmark Br16 billion to finance child benefits in 2021-2025, Marina Artemenko, the head of the population, gender and family policy department at the Labor and Social Security Ministry, said at a press conference.

Russia has delivered a new coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona, to Belarus, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being [Rospotrebnadzor] Anna Popova told reporters following her meeting with Belarusi...

A delegation of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) led by Rospotrebnadzor Head, Russia's Chief State Sanitary Physician Anna Popova arrived in Minsk.

Belarus and Russia have agreed on the cooperation algorithm in the manufacturing policy, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said after a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov in Minsk on 3 February.

"No measures are in the works in Russia to substitute Belarusian-made products. In other words, we are not going to replace the products imported from the Republic of Belarus," Yuri Borisov said.

The Russian government has resumed railway service with Belarus, TASS reported quoting the press service of the government.

The nationwide coronavirus tally was pushed to 251,705 cases. A total of 239,191 patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered in Belarus.

The authorities are trying to build a dialogue with young people, because a meaningful conversation is a better way to resolve urgent issues than a dispute, Minsk Deputy Mayor Artem Tsuran told reporters.

The agreement has been signed to keep up to date with the international legislation in rail transportation, to ensure its enforcement in rail transportation between interchange stations of Belarusian Railways and Russian Railways, and to promote furt...

According to the prime minister, Belarusian and Russian companies have the infrastructure and the potential to carry out joint research in the radioelectronic industry.

In the face of fierce competition and the political and economic restrictive measures imposed by different countries, we must rely on cooperation and industrial ties to further our relations, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said as he met...

"I consider it extremely important to promote the launch of new projects, while paying special attention to creating the most favorable and comfortable conditions for business in our countries,” said Yury Borisov.

"We discussed various economic sectors which could be of interest for Belarusian and Russian business, and also possible areas for joint cooperation,” the BelCCI office in Mogilev said.

The Finance Ministry of Belarus expects to receive the second tranche of the Russian loan at the amount of $500 million in the first half of the year, Finance Minister Yuri Seliverstov told reporters on 3 February.

European Athletics will continue to monitor the ongoing sanitary situation closely and will assess any potential replacement dates for the 2021 European Throwing Cup.

The total area will make up some 66,000 square meters. The apartments will be provided to citizens registered as being in need of better housing and eligible for social housing.

Svetlana Shutova added that special attention should be paid to remote regions.

In the round of Last 16 the Belarusian-Ukranian tandem defeated the Chinese duo of Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan 5-7, 6-4, 10-6.

In the round of Last 32 the Belarusian saw off Hungary's world number 55 Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in two hours and 13 minutes.

“I address the people: when representatives of our sociological services come to you and ask a particular question, I very much ask you to answer these questions objectively and honestly,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

In January 2021, Belarusian Railways transported 8.8 million tonnes of freight, or 101.9% as against January 2020. Export freight shipment by Belarusian Railways soared by 40% over the same period of 2020 and totaled 3.9 million tonnes.

In 2018-2020, the size of specially protected natural areas increased by 67,500 hectares to 1.8 million hectares, or 9% of the territory of Belarus. The total area of all protected areas in Belarus is estimated to equal 22% of the country's territory...

Applications for the second edition of the competition of initiatives for local development under the project “Support to Local Development in the Republic of Belarus” closed at the end of January.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Pakistan Andrei Metelitsa met with Muhammad Tariq, Additional Secretary (Europe) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.

The goal of the state program is to develop a modern competitive tourist complex, increase the contribution of tourism to the development of the national economy.

The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in military science including further consolidation of efforts in holding joint research in the development of major tactics, armament theories for the military security of the states.

Representatives of foreign embassies also expressed great interest in the event.

More than 860,000 hectares of wetlands have been preserved in natural or close to natural state in Belarus.

According to Roman Golovchenko, the country's development program that will be on the agenda of the Belarusian People's Congress is not simple and trivial. It contains many new ideas that are yet to be approved by the delegates of the congress.

"No one questions the social welfare policy of the Belarusian state. Providing all social guarantees and creating comfortable living conditions for citizens is the main task," Roman Golovchenko said.

The parties focused on topical issues of bilateral cooperation, including development of the international railway terminal in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone and cooperation in the organization of container transportation between China...

"Setting a bar low means looking forward to a low result, especially in light of possible challenges which can emerge out of the blue,” Roman Golovchenko said.