President Aleksandr Lukashenko makes new appointments

Honesty, commitment to principles, professionalism and decency are the main requirement of the President to the country's executive personnel. Aleksandr Lukashenko made such a statement as he appointed new government officials.

According to the head of state, the appointment of Anatoly Sivak the Transport and Communications Minister is logical because he will continue working in the industry. He will help implement investment projects to develop the Belarusian Railways.

Vladimir Morozov has been appointed head of the Belarusian Railways. Previously he was the head of the Mogilev Department of the organization. Therefore, the President expressed hope that the railways will operate as good as it did before.

“As far as Sergei Rumas is concerned, certainly, it is a colossal loss for the government. Moreover, he has been working well in this post. But he says he is a banker and I have felt it in him. He is more inclined towards concrete work. And we have enough workforce problems in the banking industry,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to the President, it is necessary to considerably improve work in the area of investments. “It is necessary to begin with the banking industry, particularly government programs. Money has to be counted very seriously”. Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that a lot will depend on the Development Bank. “It is likely we will have to give the bank control over government programs and the investment projects that other banks will be taking care of,” the head of state said.

“Your key task now is to create the Development Bank, a proper bank to match the name. You have the knowledge and experience to make it happen,” the President noted.

The head of state also drew Sergei Rumas’ attention to football development since Sergei Rumas is the head of the Belarusian Football Federation. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Everyone loves football. It is a number one game in our country. There are things to take care of judging by the latest matches at the Olympics among other things. It is a very important area and you have promised me that Belarus will be decently represented in this kind of sports”.

“Your motherland and my favorite place is Pripyat, Turov lands. You and I launched a grand project there. As a vice premier you were interested in it and kept an eye on the project. I would not like you to abandon it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Besides, the President stressed that for now Sergei Rumas will still have to take care of affairs of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

Oleg Paferov has been appointed new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Venezuela. T he promotion of ties with Latin America countries is a priority in the foreign policy of Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko said, Venezuela should become the main base of operations for Belarus in Latin America while the Ambassador to Venezuela should be the coordinating link to enable comprehensive cooperation between Belarus and this region. The President pointed out the new ambassador knows Venezuela well. Among other things this fact will contribute to the vigorous development of bilateral cooperation.