Lukashenka is not going to set up Belarus-Russia potash company in Moscow

Minsk is ready for negotiations up to restoration of cooperation with “Uralkalij”, but only under its own terms.

Belarus rejects the idea of establishing joint ventures in Moscow to sell potash fertilizers, stated Lukashenka at a session to discuss the potash industry on March 6.

“Recently there have been some media reports alleging that Belarus and Russia have restored the joint sales company and are set to establish a new joint venture based in Moscow. I want to tell you categorically – it is a downright lie! I heard about it for the first time from these reports and I want to add only one thing – we will not establish any joint ventures headquartered in Moscow,” emphasized Aliaksandr Lukashenka.

At the same time the President noted that Belarus is open for talks, first of all, with its Russian partners. “We are ready to restore our cooperation and collaborate like we used to. However, if such a company is established, it will be headquartered in Minsk. We are not going to set up any foreign companies. We have learnt our lesson the hard way,” BelTA quotes Lukashenka’s words.

Uralkalij was preparing for talks with Mr. Lukashenka about the restoration of its export alliance with Belarusian potash giant Belaruskalij, says BelaPAN with the reference to Russia’s newspaper Kommersant. Uralkalij will propose the replacement of Belarusian Potash Company, which is de facto defunct now, with a new joint trader that would be headquartered in Moscow. The Russian company wants to have a 65-percent stake in the trader, something that Minsk is opposed to, said the paper.