Russian and Belarusian security is more important than economic problems, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday.
"Whatever happens in our economic relations, security issues in the Union State of Belarus and Russia were solved a long time ago, and no one should make jokes on the matter," Lukashenko said at a joint meeting with Russia's Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.
The Belarusian president admitted that there are strains on economic and security issues between the two countries.
Belarus refuses to pay the Russian gas price, set at $169 per 1,000 cubic meters for the first quarter of the year and $185 for the second quarter, and has been paying $150 since January 1 instead.
On Monday, state-run Russian oil giant Gazprom imposed a 15% cut on gas supplies to Belarus, which will gradually increase to 85% if the issue is not resolved.
"We must do everything we can to ensure the people of Russia and Belarus do not doubt for a minute that we are cooperating closely in the fields of security and defense," Lukashenko said, adding that Russia has reliable friends on its western border.
Patrushev said the Security Council is aimed at developing cooperation.
"We should work out measures that will provide us and our people with conditions for work and the development of our countries," Patrushev said.
MINSK, June 21 (RIA Novosti)
