Belarusian central bank chief has not left for Washington

• 22.09.2011, 10:27

“She was not able,” the office of the National Bank chief comments on cancellation of her visit to Washington.

Nadezhda Yermakova, the chairperson of the National Bank and Belarusian representative in the International Monetary Fund, will not attend the annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank scheduled for September 22-25 in Washington, BelaPAN informs.

Nadezhda Yermakova was expected to leave for Washington on September 21 leading the Belarusian delegation. But the National Bank reports on September 22 that Yermakova did not go to the US. “She was not able,” her office said declining to give more details.

The Minks IMF Office confirmed BelaPAN that Yermakova had not arrived in Washington with the Belarusian delegation. “Ms Yermakova has cancelled her visit,” a fund representative said refusing to comment on the situation.

The Belarusian delegation in Washington is represented by Minster of Finance Andrei Kharkavest, who heads the delegation instead of Yermakova, and Minister of Economy Mikalai Snapkou.

The Belarusian MFA blames the US authorities. Chief of the Belarusian National Bank Nadezhda Yermakova received an American visa too late, which is the fault of the US party, and was not able to head the Belarusian delegation at the IMF annual meeting, Belarusian MFA spokesman Andrei Savinykh said Thursday.

“The visa was issued, but it was too late. This can be considered as violation of international obligations by the American party,” Savinykh said.

“The US has obligations to ensure unobstructed access (of members of national delegations – Interfax) to the events organized by international organizations on the territory of the United States,” the MFA spokesman emphasized.

“The delay in issuing a visa is in fact an additional barrier that creates unnecessary obstacles for Belarus’s cooperation with the IMF,” he said.