Lukashenka: I told my friend the president not to exaggerate the problem. We had it harder 

In November, the Belarusian-Venezuelan commission will determine a specific action plan for cooperation between the countries, but "we need to start working now." President of Belarus ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO stated this today at talks with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro in an expanded format. 

The President of Belarus noted that “we don’t need to start anything from scratch, we need to continue building the building on the foundation that has been created.”

“Due to the difficult situation in the world, the pace of cooperation has slowed down. The situation needs to be corrected,” Lukashenka admitted.

According to the President, by starting joint projects for oil production , the creation of assembly plants, and construction, "we definitely hit the target." He said that in November in MINSK, after a significant break, the Belarusian-Venezuelan commission will meet, which will determine a specific plan of action.

“I am ready to fly to Venezuela, and we will consider and approve this plan,” Lukashenka said, urging us not to wait for this, but to start working now.

“Export-import relations between Belarus and Venezuela are not at the same high level as they used to be, and in many respects for reasons not related to Belarus and Venezuela,” Lukashenka admitted, promising that the situation would change within two years. “You know my character and Nicholas. We will do it,” the President of Belarus assured.

Lukashenka also criticized the sanctions that threaten Venezuela, emphasizing the futility of this path.

“We are ready to put everything we have on the altar of victory in this difficult situation and in the struggle. But at the same time, I told my friend the president not to exaggerate the problem. It was more difficult for us. Yes, it is difficult for Venezuela, but we had worse, we had food stamps, but we set the task of solving the problem and reaching food exports in 8-10 years. And the problem was solved,” Lukashenka said, talking about the situation in Belarus after the collapse of the USSR.

According to the president, Venezuela can solve its problems in five years.

Alexander Lukashenko also thanked the President of Venezuela for helping Belarus in difficult times.

“Nicholas, do you remember those negotiations: Chavez, me and you. It was very difficult for us. You gave us a shoulder. Do you remember those big problems with hydrocarbons, when we were also brought under sanctions. You gave us a shoulder, and we have not forgotten it,” the President of Belarus said.

Lukashenka wished Maduro "patience, endurance and, of course, victory."

Maduro thanked the President of Belarus for the reception and stressed the long-standing friendly relations between the countries.

“We have gone through a storm and squalls, but we are standing on our feet,” Maduro assured, welcoming the intention to start a new stage in cooperation in the field of industry, energy, agriculture, and finance.

In 2016, the trade turnover between Belarus and Venezuela amounted to $2 million, having decreased by 92.6% compared to 2015. The main EXPORT items were medicines ($805.6 thousand) and FLOUR ($768.3 thousand).

In January-July 2017, the trade turnover amounted to $5.4 million, exports amounted to $5.2 million, including the supply of potash fertilizers - $4.875 million.

In Venezuela, there are 4 subjects of the commodity distribution network of Belarusian enterprises that assemble tractors and machines. In particular, in 2017, 14 MAZ vehicles and 8 tractors were assembled. Contracts were signed for the supply of 2600 and 2000 vehicle sets, respectively.

In addition, Belzarubezhstroy CJSC has been involved in housing construction in Venezuela for 10 years. Three contracts for the construction of 19,968 apartments are being implemented. Already put into operation 7400 apartments. The export of Belarusian services to Venezuela in 2016 amounted to $344.2 million (an increase of 2.8 times). The basis of this export is housing construction.