Belarus is ready to move to new terms of cooperation with Russia on a fair and non-discriminatory basis

August 26, Minsk / Tatyana Polezhay - BELTA /. Belarus is ready to calmly and business-like transition to new working conditions with Russia, but wants them to be fair and not as discriminatory as in the case of duties on oil products. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with Governor of the Kursk region Alexander Mikhailov, BELTA correspondent reports. Alexander Lukashenko believes that it is necessary to define clear and understandable rules of operation within the framework of the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan without any exceptions. "Moreover, the exceptions that exist and the duties do not bring any benefit, except harm, to our relations with the Russian Federation," he stressed. The head of state recalled that the implementation of agreements reached in Moscow and Astana is still being delayed, but not through the fault of the Belarusian side. The President also expressed doubt about the need to pragmatize relations between Belarus and Russia. "Who knows if we need this approach in our relations between two historically and spiritually close states and peoples," the President said. "Of course, not everything can be measured in rubles, dollars, or, if you like, cubic meters of gas. But since it has become customary for someone in Moscow - we are forced to take this into account from our side as well." -0-