23 May,
MINSK . The decision to introduce increased EU import duties on Belarusian products is blatant trade protectionism, a manifestation of unfair competition and a mediocre imitation of vigorous activity on the part of European institutions. This was stated to journalists by Foreign Ministry press secretary Ruslan Varankov, commenting at the request of a BELTA correspondent on the approval by the European Parliament of the draft decision to introduce increased EU import duties on Belarusian products.
"For such cases, folk wisdom has many apt definitions in store - from "cutting off the branch you are sitting on" to "freezing your ears off to spite your mother," the Foreign Ministry press secretary noted with a dose of humor. - But seriously, of course, one can only once again sympathize with ordinary citizens of EU member states who will be deprived of access to high-quality, inexpensive and competitive products of Belarusian origin - primarily agricultural products and nitrogen fertilizers."
In his opinion,
it is no coincidence that European farmers and their organizations have clearly and unequivocally condemned the thoughtless plans of European officials. After all, all they can lead to is another jump in
food prices in
the EU , the destruction of jobs in the agricultural sector and a further decline in living standards.
For example, an increase in duties on Belarusian casein - and this is every fifth ton of European imports - will inflate
the prices of animal feed. The rise in the price of flax, which today covers half of the EU's needs, will fall on the textile industry, forcing them to buy raw materials at twice the price. And restrictions on fertilizers, where
Belarus is the fourth key supplier, will hit farmers: the cost of their products will jump, and ordinary families will have to overpay for bread and
MILK . Ruslan Varankov emphasized that with such decisions the European Union punishes exclusively its own producers and consumers, adding fuel to
the fire of social discontent instead of fighting the impending economic recession and inflation against the backdrop of a sharp increase in spending on the military-industrial complex.
"Belarus, as a reliable supplier, will continue to work on
EXPORT diversification. The rationality of this strategy is confirmed by the growing volumes of deliveries, for example, to
RUSSIA, countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East," he noted.
"We see the actions of European institutions for what they are in essence: blatant trade protectionism, unfair competition, and, finally, a talentless imitation of vigorous activity," the Foreign Ministry press secretary said. "I wonder if any thinking people still believe in the false statements about stimulating their own European agricultural production? It is unclear how to have a serious conversation with partners who are indifferent to the fate of their own citizens, and of their states in general."
Despite this, Belarus, guided by the principles of good neighborliness and responsibility for global food security, remains open to equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, the Foreign Ministry press secretary assured. "We are convinced that only through respectful dialogue can we find solutions that meet the interests of all parties," he said.