MINSK, 1 June (BelTA) – Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia can reach an agreement regarding two or three sensitive issues within the Customs Union framework, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Igor Shuvalov, First Vice Premier of Russia, on 1 June. “We would like everything to be decent, we would like any relations of ours to rely on the equality of rights and respect. If we see them, we will accept any compromises, any concessions that may be difficult and sensitive for us for some time,” said the President. “But even if something is advantageous for us but our interests are infringed and the country and the nation are disrespected, we will certainly not accept it”. Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus has always been an adherent of integration processes. “This is not a buzzword for the general public. It is our image, the image of the most international country in the post- Soviet space. We have always adhered to integration even when it was not spoken of out of fear,” said the head of state. He also added that Belarus would not like to deviate from the image and will always pursue this policy, the strategy and tactics for the future. The Belarusian head of state admitted that there are some problems regarding the Customs Union that he intends to discuss today. “We will presume that our quite high-tech country, which is located in the center of Europe, cannot die. We would not like to use any advantages of our country to the detriment of primarily Russia. We don’t have any major complaints about our interests with regard to other countries including Kazakhstan”. Alexander Lukashenko said that he was open to discussing any emerging problems in this area. “Moreover, I know that what you say today will be implemented in Russia tomorrow. In turn, today I can make the decisions that will be implemented in Belarus tomorrow,” the President told Igor Shuvalov. “We can reach an agreement regarding the sensitive issues of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan,” said the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko said he would like to hear about ongoing processes in an open and honest manner.

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