Lukashenka and Yushchenko to discuss how to make friends without Russia in Chernigov
The meeting has become possible because the countries have agreed that Ukraine may pay the debt it does not admit by electricity supplies. An analyst and observer Raman Yakauleuski informed ERB about it referring to “Kiev sources”. The deputy Minister of Foreign Affaires of Ukraine Konstantin Eliseev visited Minsk a week ago. He was received by the deputy Minister of Foreign Affaires of Belarus Ihar Petryshenka. The meeting was not advertised in any way.
Yakauleuskі: - According to some Kiev sources, the meeting led to an agreement about the meeting of the Presidents of both countries in Chernigov. An agreement on two issues is planned to be reached during the meeting - the ratification of the agreement on the state border between the countries by the Belarusian Parliament and the so-called “Ukrainian debt”. The Belarusian Parliament will ratify the agreement only if the debt is admitted and paid. The meeting has become possible because the countries have agreed that Ukraine may pay the debt it does not admit by electricity supplies.
ERB: - Are these the only issues to be discussed? Our Presidents seem to be driven into a corner and are trying to make friends “against” Russia...
Yakauleuskі: - I would like to remind you that Yushchenko will go to Baku right after the meeting in Chernigov. A summit of GUAM member states will take place there on July 2 and 3. According to come sources, Yushchenko wanted to invite Lukashenka to the energy summit that took place last month. However, it became impossible due to the events connected with the American diplomatic mission and other ambiguous steps made by Minsk. I should note that this summit’s main goal is energy security without Russia. There will be another summit on energy security in Baku in November. If I am not mistaken, Lukashenka who has close contacts with Ilman Aliev may take part in it. That is why I do not exclude that Ukraine is testing the ground in Chernigov and is considering the participation of Belarus in the gas transit and transit issues discussed in Baku and Kiev.
ERB’s reference: The Agreement on democratization between Belarus and Ukraine was signed by Kuchma and Lukashenka in 1995. Ukraine has not admitted its 120 million dollar debt before. The debt dates back to the Soviet Union when suppliers and consumers used to be part of a single complex. Belarusian and Ukrainian enterprises still fail to agree about mutual debts.
Yakauleuskі: - According to some Kiev sources, the meeting led to an agreement about the meeting of the Presidents of both countries in Chernigov. An agreement on two issues is planned to be reached during the meeting - the ratification of the agreement on the state border between the countries by the Belarusian Parliament and the so-called “Ukrainian debt”. The Belarusian Parliament will ratify the agreement only if the debt is admitted and paid. The meeting has become possible because the countries have agreed that Ukraine may pay the debt it does not admit by electricity supplies.
ERB: - Are these the only issues to be discussed? Our Presidents seem to be driven into a corner and are trying to make friends “against” Russia...
Yakauleuskі: - I would like to remind you that Yushchenko will go to Baku right after the meeting in Chernigov. A summit of GUAM member states will take place there on July 2 and 3. According to come sources, Yushchenko wanted to invite Lukashenka to the energy summit that took place last month. However, it became impossible due to the events connected with the American diplomatic mission and other ambiguous steps made by Minsk. I should note that this summit’s main goal is energy security without Russia. There will be another summit on energy security in Baku in November. If I am not mistaken, Lukashenka who has close contacts with Ilman Aliev may take part in it. That is why I do not exclude that Ukraine is testing the ground in Chernigov and is considering the participation of Belarus in the gas transit and transit issues discussed in Baku and Kiev.
ERB’s reference: The Agreement on democratization between Belarus and Ukraine was signed by Kuchma and Lukashenka in 1995. Ukraine has not admitted its 120 million dollar debt before. The debt dates back to the Soviet Union when suppliers and consumers used to be part of a single complex. Belarusian and Ukrainian enterprises still fail to agree about mutual debts.
