Lukashenka offers Poland to ‘raise bar’ in mutual trade amid Russia’s sanctions


Belarus and Poland might up the bar in the mutual trade and economic cooperation amid Russia’s food import embargo, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka said during Monday’s meeting with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

“We have not lost economic contacts as it happened to those in politics. However, one should to raise the bar to a very high level. If we want to improve relations with our closest neighbor, we need to create the foundation of these relations. It is only the economy that can be this foundation,” state-run news agency BelTA quotes Lukashenka as saying.

According to him, the Belarusian side is interested in setting up joint ventures with Poland. But there are a few issues of concern in the economic cooperation [EU’s anti-dumping investigation targeting Belarus’ steel giant – Belsat].

“I think that during the session of the joint commission you will discuss them and outline the ways to eliminate them, to coordinate our positions. If we are wrong in certain aspects, we would like Poland and the EU in general to provide certain undeniable facts which would be difficult to defy.

“You are a professional, and it makes to sense to explain to you all kinds of bickering that we see on the part of the two sides over customs procedures and mutual trade. Every state will always find a response to any sanctions. I am convinced that we do not need this,” he said.

The current situation also has an impact on the economy of Poland, especially in view of Russia’s embargo and economic difficulties in neighboring countries, first of all, in Ukraine, Lukashenka stated.

“Therefore, it makes absolutely no sense to create new obstacles in the economy. We are prepared for the comprehensive development of relations with the country that is very close to us,” the head of state emphasized. “Speaking about the current level of cooperation, the countries have begun to establish closer relations. I think that it will depend on your country and its position rather than on Belarus. You are aware of our willingness to improve relations not only with all our neighbors but also with Western Europe, the EU in general,” the Belarusian leader said.

Poland’s delegation is visiting Belarus now. Its head Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Development, is expected to be present at the opening of the 20th Belarusian-Polish economic forum Good Neighborliness, participate in the 4th meeting of the joint commission for economic cooperation and hold top level negotiations.

Belsat.eu, following BelTA, photo by president.gov.by

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