Aleksandr Lukashenko hears out report from Mikhail Myasnikovich

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich to receive his report on 11 August.

The head of government informed the President about the fulfillment of his instructions.

Apart from that, the meeting focused on the transit of goods from other countries to Russia via the territory of Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that in this issue Belarus follows the agreements achieved during the recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In particular, Vladimir Putin informed Aleksandr Lukashenko about the economic measures which Russia took in relation to certain categories of products imported from the countries that imposed sanctions against Russian organizations and citizens.

“In the phone talk with the President of Russia we discussed the protection, as he said, of the Russian market. It means that we should fulfill our obligations to protect the UnionState market (we have the common customs in the customs space) regarding the transit of goods from the West to Russia via Belarus. As Russia closed its market for certain goods, we should not allow the transit of these products to Russia via Belarus,” the head of state noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he gave corresponding instructions to customs bodies.

“With regard to our domestic market, we have already had a discussion of this matter. This is our internal matter. If we need Polish apples, we buy them, not for Russia but for domestic consumption. If we need some German delicacies, we buy them, but also for our domestic consumption. If we need something to process, we buy it and process,” said the President.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also stressed that "in this regard, we must be honest and conduct, as we promised, an honest policy towards Russia."

In addition, the head of state drew Mikhail Myasnikovich’s attention to long queues at the border and asked to take care of the people who are there now.

"The ban was imposed suddenly, without warning. A number of vehicles, including trucks with perishable products, got stuck on the border. No need to mistreat these people. First, these are our and Russian forwarders - drivers, freight forwarders. Secondly, the goods have been paid for and contracted. Thirdly, it would not be right to mistreat these people," Aleksandr Lukashenko believes.

The President said that he gave some instructions to the Chairman of the State Customs Committee: "If a supplier was going to Russia and his goods fell under the ban we need to suggest selling his goods in our country or process these goods. We need to be fair towards western suppliers and resolve this situation in a decent manner. I think this will not be to the detriment of Russia. This is not inconsistent with the obligations we agreed upon.”

The President also asked the Prime Minister to hold consultations on the issue with the Russian Government.