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Kazakhstan and Byelorussia signed the agreement on long-term economic co-operation

Erkanat ABENI

ASTANA, Nov 4

(THE GLOBE)

In the result of the meeting of the two leaders the agreement on economic co-operation between Kazakhstan and Byelorussia for 1999 to 2008 signed in Astana on November 4.

�The main issue discussed during the negotiations was improvement of trade-economic links between the states. These links weakened after the world and Russian crisis,� the Kazakhstan President announced. The leader of our state thinks the reduction of turnover between the countries was caused by high transport tariffs fixed by Russia, payment systems of the states and ineffective work to realise the previous agreements. �We will have to discuss tariffs of transit via Russia, Kazakhstan and Byelorussia with Russia,� Mr. Nazarbaev said. The Byelorussian President believes they will manage to make a compromise with Russia regarding transit tariffs and taxes. He thinks that Russia will gain more profit from increased turnover between Byelorussia and Kazakhstan, than it does now.

The leaders of the two states considered issues regarding oil transportation. Mr. Nazarbaev said Kazakhstan would be able to access to Baltic ports through Byelorussia. �If the capacity of the Atyrau-Samara oil pipeline increases and transit quotes are agreed with Russia, Kazakhstan will be able to use free oil pipelines in Byelorussia,� Mr. Nazarbaev states. In his opinion, the issue on transit quotes will be settled, as Russia once annually produced and transported 600 million tons of oil, at present � less than 300 million.� �To Russian interests Kazakhstan will transport its oil via Russia,� the Kazakhstan President said.

Alexander Lukashenko stated that Byelorussia was very interested in import of Kazakhstan oil. In his opinion, in fact Byelorussian plants are able to process 3 times more volumes than they do today. His country is ready to transport Kazakhstan oil further to the west.

During negotiations they considered supplies of Kazakhstan grain to Byelorussia in condition of leasing of Byelorussian agricultural technique. Mr. Nazarbaev said they planned to assemble Minsk tractors in Pavlodar.

As far as mutual debts are concerned, the President of Kazakhstan said those debts had been formed in 1992 to 1993, when there had been a deficit of roubles, but the national currency had not been introduced. Mr. Nazarbaev said after thorough calculations financial organisations would pay off mutual debts. Mr. Lukashenko agreed, �Anyhow, debts should be paid off.�

We remind you, Byelorussia ascertains that Kazakhstan is to pay it 8 billion roubles, though Kazakhstan demands 25 billion roubles from Byelorussia.

To the question about possible joining of Kazakhstan to the Union of Russia and Byelorussia, Mr. Nazarbaev answered: �I am still declined to integration at different levels. On the basis of equality and trust Kazakhstan is ready to join any integration processes, especially in economy.� Mr. Lukashenko said: �We are allies and this proves everything.�

The diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Byelorussia established on September 16, 1992. During Nazarbaev�s visit to Byelorussia in 1996 they signed the agreement on friendship and co-operation. Mr. Lukashenko�s first visit to Kazakhstan was in September 1997. Our countries signed more than 40 documents, which form the legal basis of international relations.