Belarus’ cooperation prospects with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including a possible new cooperation program, were discussed at a meeting between president Alyaksandr Lukashenka and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Saturday.
The Belarusian president wants the new program to be based on a ‘balanced approach’ so that it could take into account the ‘interests of the country and its policy’ and ensure a ‘high level of social security of its people’, state-run news agency BelTA reports.
“Ms. Lagarde welcomed some recent progress in strengthening the policy framework in Belarus, but emphasized that a more comprehensive reorientation of policies, consistently supported at the highest level, is needed to restore stability and sustainable growth,” the statement by the IMF spoksperson reads.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka thanked the IMF for a successful implementation of the Stand-by arrangement for 2009-2010.
The $2.46 billion Stand-By arrangement was approved in January 2009 for the period of 15 months. Later the program was extended to $3.52 billion. The loan was paid off in full in March 2015.
Belsat, following Belta
