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27 Nov 2014

Belarus president saddened by Russia’s actions to restrict Belarusian export

MINSK, 27 November (BelTA) – Russia’s actions to restrict Belarusian export are saddening. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he met with Saint Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko on 27 November, BelTA has learned.

“I am not just surprised but saddened by the behavior of the Russian authorities these days. If trade between the two countries does not go back to normal soon, we will be forced to respond,” noted the Belarusian leader.

“Do you know what offends me? If, for instance, Kazakhstan and Belarus face the same problems, one phone call is enough to fix the problems for Kazakhstan. It seems to me that once again, using natural gas, oil, and now food as leverage, they are trying to show something, to teach a lesson to somebody or the entire world, using Belarus as an example. But we are not puppies to be pulled by the scruff of our necks, pardon me for this rudeness,” said the head of state.

Ambassador of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov remarked that in this situation the sides should start negotiations and come to terms.

“The Russian side flatly refuses to do so. [First Vice Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir] Semashko and [Vice Prime Minister of Russia Arkady] Dvorkovich could have sketched out some ways yesterday. But we have the law in place, customs agreements, we will start working as part of the Eurasian Economic Union tomorrow. What kind of hindrances to merchandise trade can there be?!” wondered the President. Alexander Lukashenko remarked that the sides have agreed that commodities, cargoes, and workforce should be moved without any barriers. “In essence we are one country. Why are you doing it?” said the Belarusian head of state.

“If you believe we have violated something, we can address the situation without any scandals,” added the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that he is now closely monitoring these matters. “We have not acted to address these issues for three months but now I see that the issues are not being dealt with,” noted the President. “Don’t put pressure on us. We are and we will be your reliable friends. But if you start squeezing us, you know that I won’t tolerate it”.

“And then, I don’t understand whether you are doing it on purpose in order to raise prices in the Russian Federation. We are selling merchandise to you at the lowest possible prices. But the shortage of products, particularly meat products on the Russian market, leads to an increase in prices. Why are you doing it? I can’t comprehend it,” noted the President.

“We are told directly that we process the raw materials that we buy from the West. But we have reached an agreement with the president of Russia and the prime minister that our doing so does not violate the embargo,” continued the Belarusian leader. “Frankly speaking, when today the West is between rock and a hard place and is ready to give away the raw materials at dumping prices, we are thankful. If Belarus earns 100 million within one year, is it a lot of money? Is it a bad thing if we do?” Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that Belarus has to repay loans to Russia. “Putin tells us to go ahead and process the raw materials but direct transit is out of the question. In one case we sent a batch of merchandise to Mongolia but it was turned back somewhere in Russia’s Buryatia. But we intended to deliver it to Mongolia. And then when we supply merchandise to Kazakhstan, the Russian side is concerned about the possibility that the merchandise can then be shipped to Russia. But it is up to you to prevent the Kazakh side from doing it,” noted the Belarus President.

“I don’t understand what is going on and for what purpose,” he continued. “We have been trying to do something silently for three months. No changes. We are Russian people and should come to terms”.

“If someone on your side wants to profit from the situation, want to raise prices, we don’t like it. We should protect the nations. Today Russians are having a hard time, with prices rising on a daily basis,” noted the President. “There is a problem with buckwheat in Novosibirsk. We can send 120 tonnes to Novosibirsk right away. We are trying to fix your problems, while you are starting to choke us. It is a wrong thing to do”.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is trying to help reduce merchandise prices in Russia by offering cheaper Belarusian products. He suggested that the Russian side should deal “with all kinds of cheats that profit from it, with money-grubbers and so on”.

“It is necessary to remove all kinds of barriers. You know how many friends we have across the globe. And you know the views of other nations. This is why, let’s not lose each other’s shoulder,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

“Don’t think that Belarus is smaller than Russia and is good for nothing. We are capable of accomplishing a lot. And we have never abandoned Russia. We will not abandon Russia in the current situation, too. We are not going to profit from this situation. It is our Russia and we will protect it the way we protect our territory,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

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