Events

MINSK, 9 March (BelTA) – Accounting should not be the bedrock of Belarus-Russia relations, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the session held on 9 March to discuss topical aspects of Belarus’ development, BelTA has learned.

At the beginning of the session the President demanded to be briefed on the cooperation with Russia, especially on the results of the recent intergovernmental session of the Eurasian Economic Union in Bishkek. “Of course, I am aware of the general state of affairs. I was very much surprised by the statements of my old friend Medvedev (Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. – BelTA’s note),” the head of state said. “They start to threaten us that we will have to buy natural gas at European prices, at $200 instead of $150. This, you know, looks like a hint to everybody, above all in Russia and in Belarus, that that we are dependent on Russia: that is to say, they grace us with a gift.”

“I do not want to go into details either, but Medvedev should understand that if we pay as much as they do in Europe, he will also have to pay for certain things. And the price will be much higher than the price for natural gas. I think that the majority of Russian people still think and realize that our relations with Russia are not about accounting. Accounting and the prices for the natural gas that does not belong to Medvedev should not be the bedrock of our relations,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

“They are they about something bigger. To evaluate these relations, we should look back to the middle of the 20^th century when one third of our population was killed, and you know how that happened. If someone wants to aggravate the situation and reproach us once again, such attempts will fail,” Alexander Lukashenko stated.

The head of state outlined Belarus’ position in the oil and gas issues. “I will be concise and precise: we do not want low prices for gas. We want the government of our brotherly Russia to fulfill its obligations, in essence and spirit. If we are trying to build a union, a common state, our people and enterprises, our businesses should have equal conditions on this market. This is what we want,” the President said.

“If some people believe that they can constantly pressurize us and bring us to our knees, this will never happen,” Alexander Lukashenko added.