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Aliaksandr Lukashenka summoned Prime Minister Aliaksandr Turchyn ahead of an extended trip abroad. He asked him about the state of industry, agriculture and whether there were any problems in relations with Russia.
The prime minister recently visited Tashkent and St. Petersburg. Lukashenka asked how relations with partners were developing.
“You spoke with Mikhail Mishustin. This is highly relevant ahead of my meeting with the president of Russia, where, as usual, we discuss issues that have not been resolved by the governments. Whether there are such issues, how we are going to resolve them. And problematic issues, if there are any in our relations”, Lukashenka said.
He noted that the Belarus-Russia Regions Forum would begin soon. The main responsibility for the event would fall on the prime minister.
“In a few days we will have the Regions Forum. It is a very good platform for discussing not only current but also strategic issues. You will need to focus primarily on this, since I have a lengthy trip ahead. And in connection with this lengthy trip, what issues will we need to address? Perhaps there are some proposals?” he said.
Lukashenka also raised the issue of the state of industry.
“Regarding the situation in industry. I asked you to keep these issues under strict control. This will be our most problematic area, which must function properly and bring in money during these difficult times, primarily for the budget”, he said.
Lukashenka also repeated one of his usual talking points about production and sales.
“We produce everything, we know how to produce. But how are we selling it? Pay attention to that as far as domestic issues are concerned”, he said.
Speaking about agriculture, he said this year’s harvest should be good.
“The current situation in agriculture. I spoke with our southern region, Homiel Region, on a number of issues. I think it will soon explain through the media what was discussed.
Pay attention to preparing combine harvesters for the harvest, because harvesting will begin in a week or 10 days. And not only rapeseed. We also have winter barley. What we were counting on is that all combine harvesters should be operational. If something is not done somewhere, that is a crime. If the harvesters are not repaired, despite a good harvest, it will have to be gathered. Given that the harvest is good and grain yields will be decent, we need to prepare seriously for this.
Everything was said last year. People should already have been assigned to every combine harvester. Wherever they find them, even if it means finding them in space, they should put a person or a family crew on the combine and have them ready to go into the field within a week. This is very important. And, of course, we also need to complete the harvesting of forage crops. We must not forget about that either”, he said.