Dictator wants oil and gas at Russian domestic prices

• 31.05.2013, 12:26

The ruler said an agreement to lift tariff restrictions in the Customs Union was reached in Astana.

According to him, it may happen in the next 18 months, Inerfax news agency reports.

“We still have a lot of exceptions in the the Customs Union. Russia has made a step and announced that all tariff restrictions, also in the oil and gas sector, will be lifted in 1-1.5 years. We must have complete freedom in all areas. By 2015, we must fulfil everything that was signed within the framework of the Customs Union, but not implemented yet,” Lukashenka said in Minsk at a meeting with heads of delegations participating in the the session of the CIS Heads of Government Council.

The ruler said the meeting in Astana was “lively but productive” and reminded about Russia's important role in integration processes, in particular the contribution of current Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev.

“Without his will it would have been impossible to create such a tight economic association. It would not have happened without Russia,” he stressed.

According to Lukashenka, “there were many questions and obstacles relating to the content of the treaty” ahead of the Astana summit.

“There are fears regarding political independence,” he said.

The meeting in Astana took place on May 29. It was agreed that Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan would get the observer status in the Customs Union. Journalists noted that the Belarusian ruler looked nervous before the Council session and made an open-mic gaffe.

“Yanykovych seems never to come here,” he said when a microphone was on.

Lukashenka and Putin didn't have a face-to-face meeting in Astana.