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NEWS
International Festival of Arts Slavic Bazaar Opens in Vitebsk
The 14th International Festival of Arts Slavic Bazaar was opened in
Belarusian city of Vitebsk on July 15.
"The Slavic Bazaar is not only a symbol of Slavic people but it became an
important factor in the world culture as well," Belarusian President
Alexander Lukashenko said at the opening ceremony.
"Belarusian people do not need conflicts and shocks. We need stability,
consent and mutual respect and arts are known as one of the best forms of
people’s diplomacy. The art unites people regardless to their nationality
and religion, the art unites countries", Alexander Lukashenko stated.
“Through art to peace and understanding” – this is the main principle the
festival in Vitebsk is based on, the president noted.
According to him, this cultural forum stays loyal to the generous ideals
of humanism and fair creative competition. It gives an opportunity to see
the best samples of the world art and helps uphold the reputation of one of
the biggest and significant festival projects of the planet.
Alexander Lukashenko presented this year's special award to famous
Russian composer Andrei Petrov.
The festival will have this year a record number of participants, as many
as 6,000. They come from 33 countries across the world, including Russia,
Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Latvia, Armenia, Georgia, the United States,
Germany, Italy, Israel, Egypt, and Malta. For the first time in the
festival's history representatives of Chile, Brazil, and Iran will take part
in the event.
Belarus Fulfills 15 out of 16 Most Important Indices of Social and
Economic Development
On July 13 Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorskiy reported to
president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on performances of the Belarusian
economy in first six months of 2005.
Sergei Sidorskiy informed the president on fulfillment of 15 out of 16
most important indices of the social and economic development of Belarus.
The production growth in industry and agriculture exceeded 10%. The decision
to apply zero customs rates for imported equipment, taken by the president,
let considerably renovate technological production at the Belarusian
enterprises and reach a 17% index of the investments inflow.
The average monthly inflation level within the period made 0.6% including
in June, 0.2%. Belarus is at the lowest inflation border and it is the best
index for the last three years. The Government will take all measures not to
let inflation exceed 8% in 2005.
The president asked the Government to make exports prevailing over
imports in 2005. In the first six months the Belarusian exports grew by 19%,
and companies use as many materials and component parts made in Belarus as
possible. The import growth made only 3%. It is a very good index, which
enabled Belarus to get a trade surplus, more than USD 680 million.
The reforms on reduction of unprofitable companies approved by the
president are implemented in the provinces and will reduce the percentage of
such companies from 60 to 24.
The president supported the request to allocate a trade loan to
agricultural businesses. In the near future the appropriate legal act will
be submitted.
Belarus Does Not Plan Early Presidential Election
Belarus does not plan to hold early presidential election, Deputy Head of
the Presidential Administration, Natalya Petkevich stated.
“I do not think there is such an issue, because the term determined in
accordance with the Constitution is rather close,” Petkevich said.
She also believes there is no reason to put the Constitutional Act of the
Union State of Belarus and Russia to a referendum. “There is no coordinated
document yet, we only have a draft that is being considered now,” Petkevich
said.
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