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Lukashenko: EAEU is highly self-sufficient in raw materials, food products

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ST PETERSBURG, 25 December (BelTA) – The EAEU has achieved a high level of self-sufficiency in raw materials and key types of food products, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg on 25 December, BelTA has learned.

"This is very important. Many believed that we would not be able to live on our own. As we see we have ensured our self-sufficient in key products," the Belarusian leader said.

For example, the EAEU countries ranks second in the world in oil and gas production and mineral fertilizers, the third in the production of wheat, potatoes, livestock products, and fourth in coal production.

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that at the very start, the EAEU had a foreign trade deficit in food goods, which was almost $13 billion in 2015.

"Now, thanks to well-coordinated work within the union, we have eliminated the imbalance and made a profit in terms of food. We have achieved a high level of food self-sufficiency which, for example, in Belarus is almost 100%. Due to our own production, we meet our domestic needs in grain, pork, poultry meat, milk, vegetables, vegetable oils, chicken eggs and other products," the president said.

"Deliver us some. Don't be greedy," Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked jokingly.

The head of state also noted that such results were achieved in very unfavorable external conditions when geopolitical rivals openly set out to drive a wedge between the allies. "But we have coped with this challenge together and are moving forward progressively," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

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