Belarus may impose embargo on commodity trade, restrict transit for hostile western countries – Premier Golovchenko

<p> MINSK, May 26 - PrimePress. In retaliation for the Western policy of sanctions Belarus has drafted a variety of retaliatory measures, including an embargo on import and transit restrictions, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko told parliament at President Alexander Lukashenko’s meeting with legislators on Wednesday. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “On presidential instructions the government has drafted a package of special protective measures in full conformity with our legislation. The measures will be rather painful for the countries that have taken an outspokenly hostile stance — from embargoes on the import of goods to transit restrictions,” Golovchenko is quoted by the daily "SB. Belarus Segondya" as saying. </p> <p>   </p> <p> At the same time, he said that Minsk hoped for the common sense of those who were now hurrying to reach the point of no return. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “We suggest taking a sober-minded attitude and to stop to think once again before starting along the slippery path of an economic war in which there will be no winners,” Golovchenko said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, the West has decided to force a "sanctions strike" on the country, targeting Belarusian companies. According to Golovchenko, they do not take it into account that in the end it will hit the people “whose well-being they supposedly care about”. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Prime Minister also pointed out that the Belarusian government will also have to deal with the accelerated diversification of exports under sanctions pressure. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, Western countries did not recognise the Belarus elections as free and democratic and Lukashenko as the legitimate president-elect. The European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and their allies imposed sanctions against Belarusian officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko, and some companies associated with them. </p> <p>   </p> <p> At the end of April 2021, the Belarusian government imposed retaliatory sanctions and banned the import of Skoda Auto, Liqui Moly and Beiersdorf products into Belarus for six months. The Belarusian authorities said they could impose sanctions on European businesses operating in the country and ban the transit of goods through its territory in response to sanctions of Western countries as part of the reciprocal “symmetrical and asymmetrical” sanctions. End </p>

2021-05-27

Primepress