Lukashenka makes conditions to Moscow

Minsk intents to gain the inner-Russian gas prices within the frames of the Customs Union. It results from the words of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s Aide Valiantin Rybakou who commented the decision of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the RF on the formation of the common customs area.

According to the official, “the absence of agreed positions on energy resources prices formation can become an obstacle on the way of creating the customs union”. “There can’t be a common competitive environment in the context of prices inequality on primary commodities and energy resources”, - the mass media quote Lukashenka’s aide. Judging by Valiantin Rybakou’s words, Belarus regards the signing of the corresponded documents in Dushanbe as the guarantee that “we won’t beetle off, increase the differences in business climate and impose restrictions on the mutual trade”.

The official statements of Belarus on the results of Dushanbe summit don’t get out of the context. “In fact the negotiations on this topic (formation of the customs union) have been holding since 1995, but the real progress can be noticed only now”, - Andrei Kabiakou, Belarusian government vice-premier said to journalists, speaking about the significance of the signed in Dushanbe documents. But as the experts think, Rybakou’s statement is a sign to Russia about the real intentions of Minsk.

The independent experts also suppose that formation of the customs union is impossible without the common energy market with equal energy prices. “The member countries should first formulate their national interests, create free market of goods, capitals and labour, and only then form the position towards the external market”, - Leanid Zaika, Belarusian analytical center “Strategiya” said to “Nezavisimaya Gazeta”. Now, in his opinion, the partners don’t understand each other. When speaking about the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, it is Russia who dampens the process, he thinks. Kazakhstan has own energy resources, that’s why forming a common energy market means for Belarus the opportunity to buy energy at inner-Russian prices”, - Zaika says. “If the expenses to production are principally different, how can we say about their free floating?” – the expert asked.

Zaika considers the statements on close future of Customs Union made in Dushanbe to be political. For Russian president Vladimir Putin who is going to stay not only in politics, but also in power, it is important to demonstrate that the integrational processes on post-Soviet area is still in action, Zaika supposes. Lukashenka is a politician, too. He doesn’t see the necessity to argue with outgoing Putin, but knows on which side bread is buttered.