On June 28, at a meeting on the diversification of Belarus' foreign economic activity, Alexander Lukashenko stated that in connection with Russia and the EU's position in relation to Minsk "it is absolutely obvious that the people of Belarus will have to prove by their intellect, mind, and, God forbid, by force the need and necessity to live on this earth as a nation".
In this regard, the head of state demanded the government to intensify their efforts to diversify foreign trade activity, especially in the area of energy supplies to Belarus, the press service of the president informs.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that several years ago, in search for alternatives to Russian energy resources, Belarus entered the markets of Latin America, Africa, Iran — «where, there are a lot of hydrocarbon raw materials».
«We started to produce oil in Venezuela and Iran. Moreover, today we already supply oil from Venezuela, and process it at our facilities quite successfully. At the date, there is a question of reliable oil supplies to Belarus from world markets and by different routes. In no case we should repeat the mistake occurred in relations with Russia. Oil supply from other markets along the same route as dangerous as to be dependent on one state on hydrocarbons supply now», the head of state said and added that Belarus must «fly, as they say in Belarus, «using two wings».
Alexander Lukashenko also said that during his meeting with Prime Minister of Lithuania, the parties confirmed that Gazprom sold gas at more expensive prices, than formed in Europe. In this regard the head of state declared: «We can argue, agree or not agree, but we should always have an alternative».
The president demanded to report clearly on what changes and prospects were in the development of energy supplies from Venezuela, Iran and other countries, on further possibilities of oil production by Belarus abroad, on various options for gas supply to Belarus.
The head of state paid special attention to projects of liquefied gas supplies to our country, as well as construction of new gas storage facilities. Alexander Lukashenko underlined that today it’s possible to find gas suppliers on world markets, who sell it much cheaper than Russia’s Gazprom.
The issue of CES successful creation within the Customs Union is in doubt, the government
The meeting’ participants also touched upon Belarus’ cooperation with other countries in economic sphere. In particular, it was considered the establishment of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. The meeting’s participants noted that due to existing problems to ensure the principle of equality between partners, the prospects of successful creation of Common Economic Space, which has to enter into force on January 1, 2012, «raise some doubts».
At the meeting there were also examined issues of new enterprises creation in other countries with participation of the Belarusian side Thus, it was suggested to build not only housing, but also industrial facilities in Venezuela. There were announced the prospect of Belarus’ economic projects in Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that problems of economic interaction, which arise with both Russia and other countries should be resolved in a complex link to the matters of political, security and military cooperation.
At the end of the meeting the president stressed that he was not satisfied with the pace of the government work to diversify trade and economic relations. According to him, this speed can be doubled.
