Lukashenka: Belarus set to restore potash alliance with Uralkali

Belarus is determined to restore its potash sales alliance with Russia's Uralkali, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on September 10, BelaPAN said.

Mr. Lukashenka blamed the collapse of the trade cartel on "indecent actions by these Russian rogues," and said that Uralkali's decision to de facto quit Belarusian Potash Company, its joint export arm with Belarusian potash giant Belaruskali, had caused "certain problems with sales of potash fertilizers."

Mr. Lukashenka played up the importance of Belaruskali as a major taxpayer and a company key to the development of Salihorsk. "We have invested much effort and money in bringing the company back to life after the turbulent 1980s and 1990s, a beautiful city has been built," the presidential press office quoted him as saying.

Mr. Lukashenka emphasized the need for ensuring that Belaruskali recovers from the latest crisis as soon as possible. "The country used to get $3 billion from sales of potash fertilizers in the best times," he said, acknowledging that global demand for potash had fallen recently.

"The actions of Uralkali's shareholders further complicated the situation in the international potash market," he said.

However, Mr. Lukashenka expressed certainty that the Russian leadership would not "leave such a powerful company without attention." "Sooner or later the Russians will come back to us to restore the status quo and what was in the past. At least we're not against working in a way that would bring us larger revenues. It's quite clear what needs to be done to achieve that," he was quoted as saying.