“Belarus is ready to cooperate with us. Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats said that Russia’s embargo came as a certain shock to them. On the other hand, it opened up new possibilities for economic development. They are interested in Lithuanian farming and food products, in particular raw milk and beef. Additionally, they would like to establish joint ventures with Lithuania,” Agriculture Minister Virginija Baltraitienė said in a press release issued after her meeting with her Belarusian counterpart Zayats.
According to the ministry, Lithuania’s exports of farm and food products to Belarus last year amounted to 180 million euros and accounted for 3.8 percent of the total exports of those goods. In 2013, Belarus ranked 8th among Lithuania’s 134 export partners.
On 7 August, Moscow imposed one-year restrictions on vegetable and fruit, milk and milk product imports from the EU, US and some other countries. However, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has stated that his country would not support Russia’s sanctions.
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