Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko spoke during a meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, noting that the dire forecasts for Russia’s economy in 2022 did not materialize and that the year had yielded solid results. He emphasized a sense of cautious optimism about how the year unfolded, underscoring the resilience demonstrated by the Russian economy in the face of global volatility and domestic challenges. The remarks highlighted a shared sense of achievement between Moscow and Minsk, reflecting a collaborative approach to navigating external pressures and maintaining momentum across key economic indicators.
Golovchenko commended the Russian government for delivering what he described as excellent results through well-coordinated efforts and prudently considered decisions during a difficult economic period. He attributed part of the success to strategic policy choices that supported macroeconomic stability, preserved financial discipline, and sustained investor confidence. In his view, these factors helped Russia maintain leadership in areas such as manufacturing, energy exports, and overall growth momentum, even as external shocks continued to test the resilience of the broader regional economy.
At the same time, the prime minister drew attention to the Belarusian economy, which demonstrated notable stability despite its openness and exposure to international market fluctuations. He highlighted a positive trade balance, improved indicators of foreign direct investment, and a steady labor market as signs of robust underlying fundamentals. These developments, he noted, reflect ongoing structural reforms and prudent fiscal management that have allowed Belarus to weather external volatility while continuing to integrate more deeply with regional supply chains and trading networks.
Earlier discussions with Mishustin touched on a bilateral and regional framework for the transit of Belarusian goods through Russian infrastructure. The participants reviewed the terms of an intergovernmental agreement designed to facilitate efficient transit flows and to support favorable tariff conditions. The framework aims to enhance cross-border commerce by simplifying logistical procedures, reducing handling times, and ensuring predictable tariff regimes that can benefit producers and exporters in both countries. This collaborative approach aligns with broader regional goals of strengthening economic connectivity and safeguarding steady access to markets across the Eurasian partnership.