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WEEKLY DIGEST
OF BELARUSIAN NEWS
February 21, 2008
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NATIONAL NEWS
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Parliamentary Elections in Belarus Preliminary Scheduled for
September 28, 2008
Regular
parliamentary elections in Belarus may be held on September 28 this year.
This date has been agreed with the head of state beforehand, Lydia
Yermoshina, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, told
reporters this week.
“President’s decree on the date of the elections will appear approximately
in late June. The election campaign will start no later than June 28,” Lydia
Yermoshina noted. Setting up of the regional election commissions will
become the first stage of the election to the Belarusian Parliament. They
will be set up in line with the number of deputies of the House of
Representatives (110). Then, nomination of candidates for deputies will
start.
According
to Lydia Yermoshina, any changes of Belarus’ electoral legislation are not
foreseen.
In the very
beginning of February this year, Lidia Yermoshina told reporters that
international observers will be invited and will work in line with their
status which is defined by OSCE documents and the Election Code of Belarus.
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
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Sergei Martynov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus,
Leads Belarus’ Delegation at
Vienna Forum to Fight
Human Trafficking
Sergei
Martynov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, visited Vienna, Austria on
February 13-14, 2008.
The visit
included his participation in the high-level segment of the Vienna Forum to
Fight Human Trafficking, which saw the lunch on February 13 with 1500
members in attendance representing governmental delegations from the UN
member states, international governmental and non-governmental
organizations, private and public associations.
The major
goals of the Forum are to increase awareness of human trafficking in the
international community, seek innovation approaches towards addressing the
problem, exchange best practices and experience.
The
high-level panel of the Forum included an
address by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, who appraised the
international effort of the day to combat human trafficking and moved to set
out a strategic vision of how to address the problem in the context of
current threats and challenges.
The
address
focused on human trafficking as a major challenge of the day. This
phenomenon results from global processes and inefficiencies of the global
policies. The Minister argued that today’s global effort to combat that evil
was not efficient enough since human trafficking victimizes increasingly
more people, evidence of which are numerous investigations into the matter.
Sergei
Martynov said that the current global anti-trafficking policy is a system of
measures under the law-and-order paradigm, which does not succeed. For this
reason, Belarus proposes a new and universal approach to addressing the
problem that would involve a development-and-human rights paradigm. The
Minister said that Belarus would propose to put this approach at the root of
the UN human trafficking strategy and suggested that UN member states should
discuss the issue during the thematic debates of the UN General Assembly due
to be held in June 2008.
Sergei
Martynov said that in the end the global efforts should lead to a Special
Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2–3 years’ time that would
adopt a UN human trafficking strategy and political declaration.
To read a
full text of the address by Sergei Martynov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Belarus, at the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, please visit
http://www.mfa.gov.by.
Belarus
Advocates Further Simplification of Visa Requirements with EU and USA
Belarus is
a most vigorous advocate of the further simplification of the visa regimes
between Belarus and the EU, Andrei Popov, Press Secretary of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Belarus, has recently told reporters when commenting on
mass media reports asserting that Belarus is allegedly “erecting visa walls
with a dramatic increase in the Belarusian visa fees for EU and US
citizens”.
Advocating
further simplification of visa requirements between Belarus and EU, “we
understand that we act in the interests of people here,” Andrei Popov said.
“In our recent comments on the visa issues for the media, we drew particular
focus to our numerous written communications to this effect that had been
sent out to high dignitaries of the EU and European Commission,” Andrei
Popov noted. Under such circumstances, bare statistics work better than
words. So, in January of 2008 the Belarusian diplomatic missions based in
the “new” Schengen countries issued 20 percent more visas compared to
January of 2007.
According to Andrei Popov, “big-time news” is created around the issue where
Belarus’ point has been put across for a few times now, in a sincere and
detailed manner; the authors of the headlines are simply juggling with
facts. “In the interests of objectivity, I will get the main thing clear
again. The increase in visa fees was initiated precisely by the European and
American parties. Everyone is well aware that in the case of Europe, for
instance, visa fees were raised unilaterally for Belarusians along with
reference made to the territorial expansion of the Schengen agreements. It
is not clear, though, how visa fees are related to this event,” Andrei Popov
said.
According
to him, as per the conventional international practices, we would have had
to reciprocate by matching the visa fee to around EUR 60 for every single
European country that is part of the Schengen zone. But we acted differently
which shows our different approaches to the development of inter-person
contacts. We signed agreements on the simplification of visa procedures with
neighboring countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Poland). To add more, for citizens
of neighboring countries, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Estonia the price
of a single-entry Belarusian visa is set at a level of EUR 25,” Andrei Popov
stressed. He also reminded of Belarus’ decision dating back to 2004 that
ruled the letter of invite out of paperwork where a short-term guest or
business visa is applied for by an EU citizen who is planning to stay in
Belarus not more than 30 days.
“Along with
the decision of Belarus to raise visa fees for US citizens which
reciprocated the growing US visa fees, Belarus has moved to simplify
Belarusian visa formalities by canceling the letter of invite,” the Foreign
Ministry official went on to say. “Reciprocity would follow neither on the
part of Europe, nor the US,” Andrei Popov emphasized.
“Apparently, it is only up to journalists of little integrity or ignorant
people to talk about “visa walls” on this end. We believe this sort of
coverage is either evidence of inept journalism or explicit and deliberate
attempts to “pass the buck”, Andrei Popov concluded.
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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
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Belarus’
Foreign Trade 26.3 Percent Up in 2007
In 2007,
the foreign trade of Belarus in goods and services reached $58.1 billion,
26.3 percent up over 2006.
The exports
grew 24.6 percent up to $27.7 billion; the imports went up by 28 percent to
$30.4 billion. The country’s trade deficit in 2007 made up $2.7 billion. The
main reasons were export-import transactions with intermediate goods (energy
carriers, raw materials and components). In 2007, Belarus imported $20.8
billion worth of intermediate products (31.4 percent up). Export of these
products came to $16.8 billion (21.1 percent up). Due to the increase in
energy prices, imports of natural gas to the country raised by $1.1 billion
and oil – by $1.6 billion over 2006.
In 2007,
the foreign trade in goods totaled $53.1 billion including the exports of
$24.4 billion and imports of $28.7 billion. The exports of goods in actual
prices grew 23.3 percent as against 2006, imports – 28.3 percent.
The foreign trade in services in 2007 reached $4.59 billion, 38.4 percent up
over the previous year. The exports of services increased by 37 percent up
to $3.087 billion, imports – by 41.4 percent up to $1.503 billion.
Belarus
to Invest $1.5 Billion into Energy Saving in 2008
According
to the Ministry of Energy, Belarus is set to funnel $1.56 billion into
modernization of the energy system and energy saving in 2008.
About $600
million will be put into modernization of the energy system. Some $960
million-$1150 million will be funneled into energy-saving measures,
including $260 million – into increasing the use of local fuels.
The
country’s energy saving is expected to make up at least 1.4 million tons of
fuel equipment in 2008. The use of local fuels will go up to reach 4.259
million tons of fuel equivalent.
The
Ministry also noted that it would complete five investment projects on
construction of new generating capacities. Thus, by April the Lukoml state
district power plant will finish the modernization of energy unit #2. The
project will help save up to 15 thousand tons of fuel equivalent per year,
or $1.8 million. In May Gomel CHP plant #2 will install a 4MW turbine
expander. In August, the Lida CHP plant will be fitted with a 25MW gas
turbine. In October, Minsk CHP plant #3 will complete the construction of a
230MW steam and gas power-generating unit to save up to 150 thousand tons of
fuel equivalent, or nearly $18 million. At the end of 2008, the boiler-house
“Zhlobin” will be fitted with 25MW gas piston equipment.
In 2008,
the country will replace 174.8 kilometers of the heating network, construct
and reconstruct 2.2 thousand kilometers of the transmission network and
construct three new and reconstruct seven substations to provide new houses
in Minsk with electricity.
Pinskdrev Production Increased Tenfold Since 1990
According
to the marketing department of Closed Joint-Stock Company Pinskdrev, the
company has seen a ten-time increase in the production and a 15-time growth
in the furniture output since 1990.
In 2007,
the company exports to the 32 countries totaled $80.6 million. The most
important markets are Russia, Germany, Kazakhstan. Over the past seven
years, the sales of the company in Belarus have grown seven times.
In 2008,
Pinskdrev is going to implement five large investment projects.
Energy-saving program for 2008 stipulate technical reequipment of furniture
manufactures and timber hauling teams, the introduction of a 30-megawatt
power complex.
Pinskdrev
is the oldest woodworking company of Belarus. The company includes 33
subsidiaries. Among them, there are several joint ventures on the production
of soft furniture, chipboard, plywood, six factories on cabinet furniture
production, the decorative veneer and furniture plant, the forestry, the
match factory and others. The company produces a wide range of furniture,
plywood, ply-curve parts, matches, chipboard including backed, laminate,
building and furniture veneer, saw-timber. In December 2007, Pinskdrev was
awarded the diploma of the contest “Best Goods of Belarus at Russia’s
Market”.
For more
information about the company and its products, please visit:
http://www.pinskdrev.by.
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SOCIETY,
SCIENCE AND CULTURE
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Belarus
Sees Demographic Growth
The most
recent meeting of the Labor and Social Protection Ministry’s board saw
Belarus’ Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Kosinets, announce improved
demographic figures for the country.
The
National Program for Demographic Security for 2006-2010 successfully raised
the birth rate by 7.3 percent last year. 103,425 babies were born in Belarus
in 2007. Meanwhile, mortality rates fell by 4 percent.
Belarusian Universities Take Advantages of New Economic
Conditions
International co-operation is a major priority for the scientific
departments of the Belarusian higher educational establishments. At present,
Belarusian universities have scientific partnerships with 58 countries
around the world and have concluded over 600 agreements on cooperation.
Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and China are among Belarus’ largest
partners.
Belarus’
universities are taking part in ever-increasing numbers of international
projects. In 2005, there were just 35 such projects; by 2007, there were
over 100. These include international scientific programs, as well as
bilateral joint projects.
International sci-tech cooperation between universities aims to enhance the
competitiveness of domestic production, inspire innovation and raise export
volumes. Last year, 12 Belarusian higher educational establishments sold sci-tech
products to 28 countries. The Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU),
the Belarusian State University (BSU) and the Belarusian State University of
Informatics and Radio-electronics (BSUIR) work most closely with foreign
partners.
Belarusian Acrobats Come Second at International Circus Art
Festival in Budapest
The
Belarusian State Circus troupe took part in the 7th International Circus Art
Festival in Budapest recently for the first time, claiming second place.
Tatiana Bondarchuk, Director of the Circus, has praised the contest as being
among the world’s most prestigious and famous — rivaling those held in Monte
Carlo and Paris. Participants included artists from Italy, Canada, the USA,
Russia, China, France, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Germany. The Belarusian artists
performed ‘Acrobats on a See-Saw’ show, led by Victor Narkevich.
His team
comprised Andrey Mikitchenko, Yuri Viyun, Andrey Butor, Maxim Kolosevich and
Andrey Naranovich. Last June, this very performance won a special prize from
the Zapashny Foundation and the troupe came third at the World Circus Art
Festival in Moscow.
Over Last Ten Years Belarus Has Substantially Reduced
Number of Detained Illegal Migrants on State Border
According
to the Belarusian State Border Committee, over the last ten years Belarus
has reduced the number of illegal transit migrants on the state border by
91.6 percent.
The result
of the tactical and official activity of the border service is the reduction
of the number of the frontier crossers including the illegal transit
migrants who try to use the Belarusian territory as the shortest way to the
Western European countries.
In 1998,
Belarusian border guards detained 1250 illegal migrants, in 2002 – 430 and
last year – 105 people. All in all, the total number of the detained illegal
transit migrants in 2007 was 225 people. The number of the frontier crossers
was reduced due to the efficient cooperation of border guards and personnel
of the law-enforcement bodies of Belarus in improving the migration,
criminal and administrative legislation.
In 2007, 10
criminal cases were initiated for organization illegal migration of foreign
citizens and stateless persons.
Another priority of the border services is human trafficking prevention.
International human trafficking has become widespread all over the world and
now it is a third most profitable business after trade in arms and drugs.
The Belarusian border guards carry out a number of activities to identify
potential victims and those who accompany them abroad or those who are
involved in this criminal business.
To fight
against illegal migration and human trafficking the Belarus State Border
Committee actively cooperates with some public and nongovernmental
organizations including the International Organization for Migration,
International Association of Nongovernmental Organizations La Strada, the
Belarusian Red Cross Society and others.
Office of Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of
Belarus to Launch Web-Site
The Office
of the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of Belarus will set up
new website Vitaye Belarus (Welcome to Belarus) providing information about
the activity of the national communities, confessions of Belarus and
Belarusians living abroad, Mikhail Rybakov, Spokesman for the Commissioner’s
Office has recently told reporters.
According
to him,
www.belarus21.by (the former website of the Golas Radzimy newspaper)
will be officially opened in the near future. The new website version will
consist of three parts: the activity of the Belarusian confessions, the
country’s national communities and news of the Belarusian Diaspora.
The website
will provide information about the Belarusian legislation, the activity of
the Commissioner’s Office, news in photos. Visitors of the website will be
given an opportunity to e-mail their proposals to the Commissioner’s Office.
YOU MAY FIND
BELARUSIAN POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL NEWS IN ENGLISH ON THE WEB SITE
OF
"THE MINSK TIMES" WEEKLY NEWSPAPER AT
HTTP://WWW.SB.BY/MINSKTIMES.HTML
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