EU offers Minsk same conditions as Russia: enterprises in exchange for loans?
Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Alexander Lukashenka during yesterday's negotiations in Minsk discussed not only 10 million euro offered by the European Union but much bigger amounts, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported, quoting a source close to the talks.
The Russian business daily refers to the EU commissioner's statement that Brussels is in principle ready to give loans to Belarus but in exchange for Minsk's consent to privatize key enterprises which would be later bought by European investor.
Oil refineries in Mazyr and Navapolatsk as well as potassium mines top the list of the desired enterprises.
"In private conversations, Europeans openly say that they are prepared to buy the Belarusian enterprises at the offer market cost and to offer serious money under the guarantees that they can buy them out", newspaper's source said.
Thus, the West and Russia has offered similar conditions of financial aid in exchange for controls over the key objects of the Belarusian economy.
The Russian business daily refers to the EU commissioner's statement that Brussels is in principle ready to give loans to Belarus but in exchange for Minsk's consent to privatize key enterprises which would be later bought by European investor.
Oil refineries in Mazyr and Navapolatsk as well as potassium mines top the list of the desired enterprises.
"In private conversations, Europeans openly say that they are prepared to buy the Belarusian enterprises at the offer market cost and to offer serious money under the guarantees that they can buy them out", newspaper's source said.
Thus, the West and Russia has offered similar conditions of financial aid in exchange for controls over the key objects of the Belarusian economy.
