BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

26/01/2007

Lukashenko Will Rather Introduce Euro in Belarus

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said he would never yield to Russia's takeover of Belarus and emphasized that his country was ready for the EU membership and euro's introduction, the BELTA news agency reported with reference to Lukashenko's interview.

Asked about the Union State construction, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko said he would never yield to Russia's takeover of Belarus. He is for the Union of equal states and opposes introducing Russian ruble as a common currency.

The economy of Belarus is attractive for foreign partners and it's time to lift sanctions and think of cooperation, Lukashenko said when asked about the relations with the European Union.

Belarus is ready for euro's introduction more than any other state, Lukashenko emphasized.

"We have no foreign debt, low inflation, hard-working and patient nation. Our economy works at 100 percent, we produce normal goods and can always earn money. If the European Union opened its borders for our goods, we would be evenly competing there, both in quality and price," Lukashenko was sure.

The Germans and many other Europeans openly say that, thanks to economic stability and economic development, Belarus is more ready for entering into the European Union and using euro than any other country, the president pointed out.

The development of Belarus relations with the European Union depends on Europe, according to Lukashenko. "We are good pupils ready to be taught. Moreover, having become the president, I said I will be constructing a state so that it resembles Sweden or Germany: I want the Belarussians live approximately the same as in Sweden or Germany. What else is needed? I have been shaping my policy exactly so all these years," the president explained.

Source:

http://www.kommersant.com/p-9953/euro_ready/