Andrei Kazakevich: From this time on a lot of businessmen won’t step on our territory

Belarusan authorities could have chosen some less risky methods to stop arguments with the Russian partners.

Such opinion in the talk with the EuroBelarus Information Service expressed Andrei Kazakevich, the director of the Institute for Policy Studies Palіtychnaya Sphera (Political Sphere).

Let us recall that on August 26 Vladislav Baumgertner, Uralkalij CEO and a member of the “Belarusian Potash Company” supervisory board, was arrested in Minsk airport after meeting with the Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Miasnikovich.

“For now it is hard to say how the situation is going to develop, - Andrei Kazakevich admits. – But it is clear that this gesture will certainly displease Russian authorities. As to use invitation to the Prime Minister as a means for arrest is a rather controversial thing to do. Many observers have already compared these actions with a seizure of a hostage”.

According to the political scientist, actions of Belarusan authorities towards “Uralkalij” are very risky. “There is a risk to seriously spoil the relations with Russia, our nearest ally, or, at last, with a certain part of business and political circles”, - the expert explained.

Besides, a fuss around the detentions of Uralkalij CEO can have negative impact on the image of the country; both at political and business level. “Actions of Belarusan authorities are not the best example for Russian businessmen. As even if the meeting with Belarusan Prime Minister gives no guarantees, a lot of them won’t step on our territory from this time on”, - noted Andrei Kazakevich.

Still, could the problem of confrontation between potash giants have been resolved in some other way?

The political scientist highlighted that without full and in-depth information it is hard to access how grave the consequences are. “However, to resolve the conflict at potash market some other methods could have been used, such as legal mechanisms. And although Russia refuses to admit the presence of bounds between the authorities and big business, it could have used governmental channels to influence this conflict. Of course, it is a guaranteed success; however, these actions are surely less risky than those taken by Belarusan authorities”, - claimed Andrei Kazakevich.