Alexander Lukashenko: Belarus-Russia relations lack transparency

MINSK, April 9 (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia lack clarity and transparency in their relations, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Leningrad Oblast Governor Valery Serdiukov on April 9. “If someone says that Belarus is turning against Russia, it is outright lie. We do not see our future without Russia, we are destined to live together. But we would like to see more clarity and transparency in our relations. It is crucial for us, especially at this stage,” the head of state underlined. According to Alexander Lukashenko, no one in the country’s leadership is opposing closer integration with Russia. “If I or someone else makes a statement about Belarus-Russia relations, I am honest and sincere, I hold the same stance in the CIS and EurAsEC. As for our bilateral relations, we do not hide anything from each other. The only difference is that the Russian leadership makes critical remarks about me not publicly, while I prefer to talk publicly about the problems in our relations,” the Belarusian leader said. At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko noted that after the recent working trip to the Gomel oblast, the printed press started talking about Belarus’ intentions to intimidate Russia using West or something else. “There are no such principles in our politics, especially towards Russia,” the head of state added. Alexander Lukashenko expressed his concern about closure of the Russian market for Belarusian products. According to the President, it is the biggest issue and it contradicts the official policy of the Russian Federation. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the G-20 summit in London took an important decision not to close their markets and thus not to destroy developing economies. “If 80% of the world economy, including Russia, shuts down, the countries with export-based economies like Belarus will get into a lot of trouble. Therefore, the right decision was taken to overcome the crisis together. We do not need any advantages. But there should be free competition,” the President said. “The EU accounts for more than 50% of our foreign trade. This is all about it. It is not that Lukashenko “has sold himself to the West” as Russian press laments. The EU puts pressure on us and this position is understandable. But we do not understand Russia’s position who, as I have been informed, is blocking the access to its market for Belarusian products,” the head of state said. As an example the President cited the situation with sugar and milk deliveries to Russia. “Is this a common barrier-free economic space? Even if Belarus sold everything in Russia, it would not do any economic damage to the state,” Alexander Lukashenko said. If we do not speak about these facts in public, Russian mass media will pay no attention to the problems of bilateral trade, he added. They got to the point when they started reproaching Belarus for the $2 billion loan. The IMF extended the loan on better terms but Russia has pumped out much from the Belarusian economy by means of illegitimate oil duties, a three-time hike in gas price for the past 1.5-2 years. They have pumped out $10 billion for the past year and a half and gave a $2 billion loan under a huge interest rate,” the Belarusian leader said. We are very sorry for that. However, we will do everything not to lose Russia. I think Russia is not indifferent to the destiny of Belarus either,” the Belarusian leader said. Alexander Lukashenko stressed: “Everything becomes clear at the most difficult times. I do not say that the period is a catastrophe. I mean there would be no crisis if we met and coordinated our cooperation, defined the Russian ruble as a regional currency for at least that period”. The head of state added that Belarus could overcome the consequences of the global crisis itself but “it would be much easier for us to do it with Russia”.

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