Snopkov said in Wednesday's
interview that Moscow , which has faced Western
sanctions over its annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian insurgents
in eastern Ukraine , would
not object to Belarus
expanding its ties with the West.
"Our
colleagues and our partners from the Eurasian Economic Community" — the
Moscow-dominated trade bloc — "do not mind Belarus linking together with the
European partners," Snopkov said, speaking through a translator.
Snopkov suggested
that Belarus could help ease
the sting of sanctions on European food products imposed by Moscow by importing them, processing them,
and shipping them across its eastern border. Russia and other Eurasian Economic
Community members "are ready to see Belarus processing milk, vegetables,
fruits, food from the European countries and re-export it or export it to the
partners in the Eurasian Economic (Community,)" he said.
Belarusian
President Alexander Lukashenko, whose government long has been targeted by U.S. and EU
economic and travel sanctions over its crackdown on opposition and independent
media, has managed to improve his credentials in the West thanks to hosting
Ukrainian peace talks that produced a fragile cease-fire deal.
Friday's investment
conference is part of his government's effort to raise foreign interest in Belarus '
largely state-controlled economy. In the same interview, Deputy Finance
Minister Maksim Yermalovich said there was even talk of listing Belarusian
companies on the London
or the New York Stock Exchange.
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