Belarus President Lukashenko rejects calls for economic reformsNovember 6, 2015 - 18:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At his swearing-in ceremony Friday, November 6, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko rejected calls for economic reforms, shattering hopes for a liberalization inspired by the release of political prisoners and a rapprochement with the West, the Associated Press reports. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, was elected for his fifth term in office last month in a vote boycotted by the opposition but mildly welcomed by international observers. The European Union last week suspended sanctions against Belarus following the government's decision to release political prisoners. But Lukashenko on Friday slammed the painful free market reforms that neighboring Russia and Ukraine conducted in the 1990s as erroneous policies that could provoke a "revolution or a civil war." "Too many people talk about structural reform these days but nobody has mentioned what these reforms are," Lukashenko said Friday. "This would mean smashing the political system, the entire government of Belarus, in pieces, divide and give away state, people's property." Lukashenko has largely preserved his nation's state-controlled, Soviet-type economy, which has been surviving thanks to cheap Russian gas and Western loans. Thanks to state support and subsidies, it still puts the bread on the table for pensioners and workers at unprofitable, unmodernized factories. About 80 percent of the country's economy is in government hands, and the under-development of private businesses has been named as a serious impediment to Belarus' economic growth. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |