MINSK, 27 January (BelTA) – The per capita GDP production and the living standards in Belarus should approach the European average by 2016, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said addressing the seventh special session of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly dedicated to the introduction of Mikhail Myasnikovich as Belarus’ Premier on 27 January, BelTA has learnt. The President is convinced that the government should act as Belarus’ economic think-tank. “It is essential for the Council of Ministers to become a really collegial body. There is no need to strictly supervise the ministers and tell them what to do. At the current stage the full responsibility over the economic and social development should rest with the ministers, heads of companies, governors and heads of regional executive committees,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined. The President believes that the key decisions should be made on these levels, and the initiative should be encouraged here. The Prime Minister should first of all monitor the execution of the tasks stipulated in the social and economic development program of Belarus for the five-year period. “Mikhail Myasnikovich should arrange the work of the Council of Ministers in a way that allows discussions and disputes only before a decision is made. Once a decision is taken, it should be implemented without fuss and unnecessary rhetoric. The requirements to the executive discipline remain in place,” the head of state said. Alexander Lukashenko believes that close collaboration with all the branches of the government, including the National Assembly, should become the hallmark of the new government. “We should resume our focus on amending the legislation taking into consideration present day requirements prompted by economic liberalization,” the President said.

БЕЛТА