Minsk Asks EU For Financial Aid To Ease Economic Impact Of Pandemic - Foreign Ministry
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published April 09, 2020 | 08:12 PM
Belarus has requested financial assistance from the European Union to minimize the economic consequences of the "global coronacrisis," Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz said on Thursday
MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th April, 2020) Belarus has requested financial assistance from the European Union to minimize the economic consequences of the "global coronacrisis," Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Anatoly Glaz said on Thursday.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Wednesday that the bloc was considering Minsk's request for help, and though the total amount has not yet been decided, it may reach up to 60 million Euros ($63 million).
"The European Union has decided to allocate financial assistance to the countries of the Eastern Partnership, which, as you know, Belarus is part of, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, it is logical that in the current situation we asked for additional funds specifically to finance the most urgent purchases for our medical institutions, as well as in order to minimize the projected negative economic consequences of the global coronacrisis," Glaz said in a statement.
The diplomat drew attention to the existing scheme of technical assistance between Minsk and Brussels. In particular, Glaz noted that through the EU assistance program for Belarus alone, the state receives about 30 million euros ($33 million) yearly.
"It is obvious that a decline in business activity throughout the world and in Europe particularly will affect our industries. Therefore, it is very important for us to use all our opportunities to be on a safe side," the spokesman added.
To date, Belarus has confirmed 1,486 COVID-19 cases with 16 deaths, according to the nation's official website for the coronavirus statistics.
The Belarusian government tightened the self-isolation rules amid the pandemic, according to a decree published on the national legal portal on Thursday.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From World
-
NFL will allow players to wear Guardian Cap helmets in games
1 hour ago -
Football: German Bundesliga table
1 hour ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
1 hour ago -
Football: German Bundesliga results
1 hour ago -
US troops to leave Chad in second African state withdrawal
1 hour ago -
Plastics pollution may be solved without production cap: Canada minister
1 hour ago
-
Biden stalls on menthol cigarette ban fearing Black vote backlash
1 hour ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
1 hour ago -
6,000 French police to welcome Olympic torch amid bonus boost
2 hours ago -
Taiwan hit by several quakes, strongest reaching 6.1-magnitude
2 hours ago -
'Ballistic' Bairstow stars as Punjab pull off record T20 chase
2 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 2nd update
2 hours ago