Sidorski advocate s quicker transition to Russian ruble

Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhei Sidorski initiates acceleration of transition for Russian ruble in operations with Russia.

“The time for quick decisions has come, and if we adopt a decision, why should we pay through the American banking system?” S. Sidorski said at the meeting with the chairman of Russia’s Vneshekonombank Vladimir Dmitriev, Interfax informs.

Vneshekonombank and the Belarusian government have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Saturday in Minsk.

“Even in the beginning of the crisis, in the beginning if autumn, the initiative to use the Russian ruble as a regional currency was discussed by the presidents of our countries,” S. Sidorski said. “We made an offer to the Russian government. It was also discussed at the level of chairmen of Central banks,” the prime minister said.

As said by him, “Vneshekonombank is to play a certain role in this process”.

In his turn, V. Dmitriev underlined the active steps made by the sides for use of Russian ruble as a regional currency. In particular, he noted “active contacts” at the level of national the heads of the central banks of the two countries. As said by the chairman of the bank, “there are technical basis for operations at two platforms (national currency exchanges), so that Belarusian enterprises would be allowed to take part in trading at two platforms, and central banks formed appropriate lombard discounts for helping enterprises in forming ruble liquidity”.

“All this have serious grounds, and we certainly support this ideology,” Vneshekonombank chairman added.