26 Aug 2022 11:31

Belarus proposes to differentiate EDB work with EAEU countries on industrial cooperation

MINSK. Aug 26 (Interfax) - Belarus believes that the principles of the Eurasian Development Bank's (EDB) work with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries need to be reviewed and become more differentiated when it comes to industrial cooperation.

"We discussed the issues of finding financial resources for projects in the area of industrial cooperation. One option is to carefully look at the activities of the EDB. The Belarusian side believes that, in its current form, it does not fully serve the interests of union countries in issues of industrial cooperation," Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Nazaruk said on the sidelines of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, state news agency BelTA reported.

"We would like loans to be accessible, both cheap and long, set thresholds to be 'grounded.' It's one thing to serve the economy of Russia, and another Belarus and Armenia. We need to differentiate here, approach more constructively. Therefore, the Eurasian Economic Commission, together with the relevant government agencies of EAEU member countries, will again work on this matter," Nazaruk said.

He also said it is necessary to consider raising additional resources from existing sources for industrial cooperation projects. "We would like the Eurasian electric bus project to become the model and flagship. We have the appropriate competencies and groundwork," Nazaruk said.