Lukashenko pushes for equal operation terms for Belarusian, Russian companies

According to the president, the government constantly informs him about the considerable work that has been done to form the legal base of Belarusian-Russian cooperation in furtherance of the strategic programs the sides have signed earlier. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I expect you to give me clear answers about what we agreed on, how it is being fulfilled, what areas are lagging behind. It is important to also voice it in presence of the Russian delegation [during expanded-participation talks, which are scheduled to take place in Minsk on 19 December]. Calmly, without shouting and uproar. If we are at fault somewhere, then we have to say and admit we are guilty. If the Russian side came up short somewhere, then we have to talk about it, too.”

“What is the probability of the signed agreements dismantling all the barriers standing in the way of our goods and enabling truly equal conditions for commercial entities?” Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered.

“I think we have one wish (not even a complaint but a wish) for the Russian side: enable equal conditions for the operation of commercial entities. So that agricultural enterprises, our industrial enterprises, companies in the sphere of services and so on could work in equal conditions,” the president continued. “It is important for prices for natural gas, oil to not be sky-high in these equal conditions. But it is absolutely not the most important thing. One can say it is even not important. The important thing is for Russians and Belarusians to have equal prices for energy resources and other areas of our activities. It is the key.”