MINSK, October 16 (Itar-Tass) —— Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko hopes Belarus will not remain idle after Russia’s joining the World Trade Organisation.
“We have paid high price for establishment of the Unified Economic Space, of the Eurasian Economic Union, but Russia has joined the WTO, and whether we like it or not, we should get used not to just live, but to be fighting under these complicated conditions,” he told a news conference for Russian reporters on Tuesday.
Lukashenko continued saying that during meetings with Russian leaders, Belarus has been referring to earlier agreements that under the current conditions Russia should not abandon Belarus.
“We are receiving positive answers, so let’s see what happens later,” he added.
Earlier, the Russian leaders said the unified economic space in the post-Soviet territory is a priority for them, Lukashenko continued. However, he said, later on the priority gave way to the WTO.
“I said then, watch, it does not happen so that you abandon us as you join the WTO and we remain with our own interests,” Lukashenko said.
Presently the World Trade Organisation is not as much an economic organisation, but rather a political one, the president said, and it was time, where they “kicked us, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries and did everything to tear up, to separate us.” Lukashenko said at that time he stated if they do not want to see us at the WTO, let us make our WTO in the post-Soviet territory, which still retains the cooperation ties and where the common Russian language still exists.
Meanwhile, while analysing the current situation, the president expressed opinion that Russia’s joining the WTO would affect the Belarus-Russia relations.