BELARUS: President Alexander Lukashenko says he wants good relations with both Russia and EU
Record ID:
1532854
BELARUS: President Alexander Lukashenko says he wants good relations with both Russia and EU
- Title: BELARUS: President Alexander Lukashenko says he wants good relations with both Russia and EU
- Date: 7th December 2010
- Summary: MINSK, BELARUS (DECEMBER 6, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ASSEMBLY VENUE FLAGS DELEGATES OF THE 4TH ALL-BELARUS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ARRIVING AT VENUE BELARUS PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO COMING INTO THE HALL BELARUS COAT OF ARMS DELEGATES SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELARUS PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO, SAYING: "While I am the President we will not tolerate being kicked, pushed or punched in the face. This will never happen, or you will have to choose another President." AUDIENCE LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELARUS PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO, SAYING: "Russians should understand that they do not have a more reliable friend. They do not have a more important task then to keep Belarus within their strategic interests, this cannot be denied. We are always ready for that and always talk about that publicly. Here, at the Western front of our former common - and I still believe that - Motherland, we have always been and will be, a secure foothold for Russian people." AUDIENCE LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELARUS PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO, SAYING: "Working with the European Union does not mean moving away from Russia and do not search for any dramatic changes, please - I know the ambassador is here - in the fact that I am talking about European Union and after that about Russia, because we have even more problems in the Western direction then we have with Russia. This is why I am talking first of all about the solutions to these problems. When we were hit on the head and barred from the Russian market, we today, no matter how unpleasant and shameful it is, should thank the European Union, which did not do the same. At present we have bigger trade with the EU than with Russia." AUDIENCE LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BELARUS PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO, SAYING: "Today I am not criticising my opponents, I managed not to for months, I will manage to do without it in the remaining two weeks. I just want to say: My friends, no matter if you go out to a square or to a street, you will never get this country. We will not allow you to tear it apart, because it cost us dearly." LUKASHENKO ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE
- Embargoed: 22nd December 2010 02:44
- Keywords:
- Location: Belarus, Belarus
- Country: Belarus
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA6OE4LJU20JWEHUCAALI4H1R0V
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday (December 6) he wanted to normalise the country's relations with Russia but was not willing to turn his back to the European Union.
In his address to the Fourth All-Belarus National Assembly Lukashenko said he would not stand any pressure from Russia.
"While I am the President we will not tolerate us being kicked, pushed or punched in the face. This will never happen, or you will have to choose another President," Lukashenko said addressing 2,500 participants of the assembly.
In June, Minsk threatened to cut Russian gas transit to Europe in a pricing dispute, while in January Moscow slashed its oil supply for Belarussian refineries as the two countries clashed over export tariffs.
Although the two countries have ironed out the differences, at least temporarily, some urgent issues are yet to be resolved.
One possible bone of contention is that earlier this month, Belarus and Ukraine reversed oil flows along part of the Europe-bound Druzhba pipeline, allowing Venezuelan crude from Odessa to reach Belarus, in a move that may hamper Russian oil supplies to Europe.
Taxes are also an issue. Russia has yet to decide on a policy of oil and oil products export duty, and a finance ministry official told Reuters earlier this week that much will depend on whether Moscow is able to reach an agreement with Minsk.
Moscow's position is that the oil produced by Belarus -- around 2 million tonnes a year -- should be used to meet domestic needs, while any spare oil bought from Russia can be processed by Minsk and sold abroad at the Russian export duty rate, with the tax revenues then going into the Russian budget.
Lukashenko admitted both Russia and Belarus made mistakes, but confirmed the country would remain the reliable partner despite the recent tensions.
"Russians should understand that they do not have a more reliable friend. They do not have a more important task then to keep Belarus within their strategic interests, this cannot be denied. We are always ready for that, and always talk about that publicly. Here, at the Western front of our former common - and I still believe that - Motherland, we have always been and will be, a secure foothold for Russian people," Lukashenko said.
Lukashenko had recently distanced himself from Moscow, turning towards the European Union (EU). However, he reassured the congress that Minsk's ties with European Union would not affect Russia.
"Working with the European Union does not mean moving away from Russia and do not search for any dramatic changes, please - I know the ambassador is here - in the fact that I am talking about European Union and after that about Russia, because we have even more problems in the Western direction then we have with Russia. This is why I am talking first of all about the solutions to these problems. When we were hit on the head and barred from the Russian market, we today, no matter how unpleasant and shameful it is, should thank the European Union, which did not do the same. At present we have bigger trade with the EU than with Russia," he told delegates at the congress.
Lukashenko, who is widely expected to win the country's December 19 presidential elections, said he would not hand over the country to his competitors.
"Today I am not criticising my opponents, I managed not to for months, I will manage to do without it in the remaining two weeks. I just want to say: My friends, no matter if you go out to a square or to a street, you will never get this country. We will not allow you to tear it apart, because it cost us dearly." he said.
After more than a decade quashing political opposition and maintaining many elements of the Soviet planned economy, Lukashenko now faces greater pressure than ever before to hold a transparent and fair election.
Otherwise he faces the prospect of a Moscow-backed political challenge coupled with tighter restrictions on the cheap Russian oil that fuels the Belarussian economy, Lukashenko's opponents say. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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