English

Moscow suggests that Belarus should become part of Russia, Lukashenka says

Alyaksandr Lukashenka revealed on Friday that Moscow had suggested that Belarus should be incorporated by Russia.

They say that Belarus should agree to the absorption, if it wants the price of Russian natural gas imports to be at a level of that for Russia`s Smolensk province, he said at a news conference at the National Library in Minsk.

“Perhaps, they are right,” said Mr. Lukashenka. “But we will pay $250 per 1000 cubic meters. It can be done in this or that way. We have chosen this path. If you want another, go ahead without me.”

Mr. Lukashenka stressed that Belarus would not become part of the European Union or Russia until he stayed in power.

A majority of the Belarusian people do not want the country to be absorbed by Russia or join the EU on conditions similar to those set once for the Baltic states, he said.

“I don’t want this as well,” he said. “I want us to be happy here. Such a policy and independence cost much. If you are not ready to pay, speak out, you 90 percent of the population, and you will be able to become part of another state, part of the European Union but without me. When I say that we should be happy on our land, most people in society support this.” //BelaPAN