WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Belarus’ economic relations with the United States have improved somewhat due to a relaxation of sanctions, but they could be better, senior trade and economic-affairs counselor Siarhei Nahorny at the Belarusian Embassy in Washington told Sputnik.
“I could describe the current state of economic affairs between Belarus and the United States as improving – first of all in terms of the US freeze of sanctions against our companies,” Nahorny said at the site of a conference on business in the Eurasian Economic Union, whose five members include Belarus.
The embassy official explained, however, that although the sanctions have been frozen, they could be reinstated at any time.
“It certainly constrains long-term relations,” Nahorny stated. “[Business] partners do not want to conclude long-term contracts for deliveries of some strategic goods, particularly petrochemical products, because the possibility of sanctions being reintroduced.”
He added, “While our relations are not in decline, they could be better.”
Recent years have also seen strong growth in exports of Belarusian-made furniture, lumber and building materials, the diplomat explained.
He pointed out, however, that the monetary value of what Belarus sells to US customers – currently estimated at $300 million a year – has shrunk, due to falling prices for potash, a key ingredient in fertilizer, and fuel pipes. Potash and pipes are inputs for many Belarusian-made goods bound for export markets.
“While we maintained the same export volumes, we lost income in dollars,” Nahorny added. “The volume of pipes delivered to the United States was significantly reduced. US companies don’t drill much because of the low oil prices, and so they don’t need pipes.”
Bilateral ties have weakened since the start of the 21st century. In 2004, US President George W. Bush’s administration imposed sanctions in conjunction with the Belarus Democracy Act, which assessed the country's legal and political systems. Since 2008, there has been no US ambassador in the capital, Minsk.
In recent years, however, Belarus has emerged as an international mediator, with Minsk hosting several rounds of peace talks on Ukraine. In February, a ceasefire agreement was signed between the Ukrainian government and pro-independence factions in the country’s east.
