Problems in relations between Belarus and Russia can be resolved in one evening - A. Lukashenko

"We are aware that the Kurgan region attaches great importance not only to the development of its agro-industrial complex but also has a number of important programs planned for implementation," the Head of State noted. "Belarus is ready to participate in these programs, as well as to offer the agro-industrial complex of the Kurgan region a wide range of agricultural machinery and equipment, and other products." In addition to the direct topic of cooperation with the Kurgan region, the President touched upon problematic issues in the relations between Belarus and Russia as a whole. "We have never, under any circumstances, refused equal mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia," Alexander Lukashenko assured. "I simply advise you to listen less to the media, especially in Russia." The Head of State exposed Russian media for lying, claiming they invented a conversation with Dmitry Medvedev during the solemn events in the Russian capital on May 8 about the "acclimatization" of the Belarusian President. "There was no such conversation," said Alexander Lukashenko. At the same time, he emphasized: "Our last meeting, like all previous ones, was constructive; we understand each other perfectly. And this lying and distortion is what pushes me: you might as well publish the transcript of the meeting so that people can read and see the true relationship between the heads of state." "There is no need to look for any deadlock between us and the President of Russia, or for any kind of fight and so on," added the head of the Belarusian state. According to him, there is an agreement with Dmitry Medvedev to meet at the end of this month or the beginning of the next to discuss all current issues. Alexander Lukashenko quoted the Russian President's statement that "Russia has no closer country or state than Belarus." "We are one people, and we must proceed from this," emphasized the Belarusian leader. "Perhaps, of all the republics of the Soviet Union, the most pro-Soviet, the closest to a Russian person, is Belarus and Belarusians. We have never had a situation where we threw stones at the Russian people. It has not happened and will not happen. You must remember this." Touching upon the topic of the Kyrgyz events, the President of Belarus recalled that an unconstitutional change of power occurred in Kyrgyzstan, and this fact is noted in a joint document signed by the participants of the CSTO summit following the meeting in Moscow on May 8. "This is not just Lukashenko's position. All heads of state signed a document in which they stated that a coup d'état had occurred in Kyrgyzstan, which is what I said in the very first days," he stressed."Regarding my position on Bakiyev, everyone without exception acknowledged that the Belarusian President acted correctly in this situation. And there is no need for any insinuations. If anyone is prepared to state otherwise, then I will publish the transcript of the meeting," stated Alexander Lukashenko. "Belarus advocates for building mutually beneficial and equal relations with Russia," emphasized the President. "Belarus has no intention of being a freeloader for anyone. But we want our Mother Russia not to sideline us or cast us aside." The Head of State once again touched upon the issue related to the introduction of duties on Russian oil supplied to Belarus. "Why was a duty imposed on oil for us, but not for Kazakhstan? Explain, in what way are we worse than the Kazakhs? Why do they strive to set the price of gas for us higher than for Germany? For what purpose?" Alexander Lukashenko asked. "I do not understand why Russia supplies oil at an unaffordable price to the Mozyr Oil Refinery – our own plant (42% of shares belong to Russian business). True, the oil is not being supplied, the plant is not taking it for processing," he added. In this situation, Belarus began to seek other markets for this raw material and found it in Venezuela, starting to process it at the Mozyr Oil Refinery. "Again, this caused some misunderstanding and indignation in Russia," said the President. "If you are not satisfied with Venezuelan oil, let's process Russian oil. But let's calculate whether it will be profitable for the country, or at least for this Mozyr Oil Refinery." The supply of Venezuelan oil is profitable for Belarus, contrary to the false opinion inflated in some media outlets. At the same time, the Head of State drew attention to the fact that "there has never been and will never be any corruption, any offenses, any fraud with oil or oil products on the territory of Belarus.""Here, perhaps, I have outlined all the problems that need to be solved. Can we do it? We can do it in one evening!" - believes the President of Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko touched upon the issue of Russia's participation in the privatization of Belarusian enterprises, including the petrochemical complex. "If you want to privatize them, let's sit down at the negotiating table. We are market players today, we often hear from Putin: a market economy based on market principles. Let's agree on what it will cost. In response, we hear: 'No, we don't want to negotiate, let's go by book value'," the President quoted the Russian side's position. At the same time, he recalled that the market price of "Beltransgaz", determined by independent experts, turned out to be many times higher than the estimates of the Russian "Gazprom". The Head of State recalled the introduction of restrictive measures in Russia on the supply of Belarusian products to the Russian market: "Why are you doing this? You should know that these are your enterprises, and cutting off final production in Belarus means cutting off the branch you are sitting on. 15 million people in Russia are involved in cooperation with Belarusian enterprises." "I simply want to get answers to simple questions. If they are clear and understandable, then we will agree. I don't think we are demanding anything exorbitant," said Alexander Lukashenko. At the same time, he recalled that two Russian military bases are located in Belarus - in Vileyka and Baranovichi, for which "we do not take a single kopeck from Russia." "Moreover, the Belarusian army is the stronghold of Russia in the West," the President emphasized. He also recalled the signed agreement with Russia on the creation of a unified air defense system, which is of exceptionally great importance for it. "I am not saying this as a reproach, I do not want you to think that Lukashenko has something anti-Russian up his sleeve. There is no more pro-Russian person in Belarus than the president. I have been proving this for 15 years, you have never had problems with Belarus," the Belarusian leader emphasized. The Head of State noted: "They are beating us in the West and calling me a dictator not because I am a dictator and someone is afraid of Belarus. They are worried that we are united with Russia here. Russia has no such relations with anyone else: neither in the military-political sphere nor in the economic sphere. That's what worries them. Only when they beat the one who stands in front, they should not be kicked from behind."Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the absurdity of the position of Russian deputy Sergey Markov, who voted against Belarus at a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. "How is this to be understood? As if elections in Russia are not held in the same way as in Belarus. As if human rights are worse for us than in Russia! How more absurd can such an act look to a Russian person," the President exclaimed. "Russia cannot lose Belarus, I say this to your leadership openly. This should not happen. And if it does, then Russia will never again find allies, not only in the post-Soviet space, but also in the world. We must be together, I understand this firmly. Crooked accounting is useless here: who supplies how much oil to whom, how much natural gas, and so on," the head of state stated. In turn, the Governor of the Kurgan Region, Oleg Bogomolov, is convinced that the relations between the Russian region and Belarus "have huge potential and dynamics." As the guest noted, "sooner or later all problems in Russian-Belarusian relations will disappear - I am sure of this. With the political will that we have, we will achieve success." Reporting on the progress and prospects of cooperation between Belarus and the Kurgan Region, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov emphasized that both sides are interested in organizing joint production of a full range of agricultural machinery. "Unfortunately, we have some problems with the supply of Belarusian agricultural machinery to the region," the Deputy Prime Minister noted, explaining that the distribution network in Russia is not working effectively enough. In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the possibility of using effective lending schemes to increase the purchase of Belarusian agricultural machinery by Russian regions. Andrei Kobyakov also noted favorable prospects for cooperation in housing construction. Belarusian specialists are ready to provide their services in this sector. For example, this applies to the supply of elevators. The Kurgan Region has an extensive machine-building complex. Belarus is interested in participating in its technical re-equipment. The hallmark of the Kurgan Region is bridge construction. The Belarusian side counts on constructive interaction with specialists and companies of the region in the construction of large bridge structures, including in third countries."The agenda in our relations is very broad," said Andrei Kobyakov. "Our trade turnover with the Kurgan region is currently around $40 million, while, for example, with the Kaliningrad region, which is comparable in terms of human resources, it is $140 million. Thus, there is still work to be done." Alexander Lukashenko and Oleg Bogomolov stated that Belarus and the Kurgan region of Russia have very similar economic structures: both lack rich raw material resources, are focused on final production and export. Such similarity opens up opportunities for multifaceted exchange of experience, as well as for the consolidation of some production facilities with the aim of entering the commodity markets of third countries. -0-

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