OSTROVETS DISTRICT, 22 December (BelTA) - Belarus will take retaliatory measures if Lithuania stops the transit of Belarusian fertilizers, Belarusian Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko told the media, BelTA has learned.
"As for the statements about the possible termination of the transit of Belarusian fertilizers, we, of course, are ready for such development of events given the absolutely chaotic policy of Lithuania towards Belarus. Since May-June, we have been preparing for this option, working out alternatives. If someone in Lithuania believes that by taking this action they will hurt Belarus, they are wrong. I can say with full responsibility Lithuania will hurt no one but itself. They made a political decision not to buy Belarusian electricity, which would have cost Lithuania at least two times cheaper than what they have to pay now by buying electricity on the market," Roman Golovchenko said.
The prime minister stressed that if Lithuania stops the transit of Belarusian fertilizers, it will violate its international obligations. "We will not leave it unanswered. We will have to retaliate. As you know, Belarusian exports to Lithuania amount to about $1 billion. These are mainly raw materials and materials purchased by Lithuanian companies for further processing, such as timber, polymers and so on. We can stop the supply of these goods, redirect them to other markets, and then Lithuanian business will ask its government to solve their problems," he said.
"Yet, we still believe that common sense will prevail," Roman Golovchenko added.
