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UK to start importing Belarusian vodka

The UK plans to start importing Belarusian vodka, British Ambassador Rosemary Thomas said at a news conference in Minsk on June 14, as quoted by BelaPAN.

"Serious talks are underway on the possibility of Belarusian vodka being sold through one of Britain's largest distributors," she said. Deliveries of vodka, medicines, textiles seem to be "small projects but it is them that may become an important component of trade," the diplomat said.

"British investors are interested in cooperation in other areas as well. But certain efforts must be taken to create conditions here that will attract British investors," she added.

Bilateral trade has dropped recently due to the global economic crisis, according to the ambassador. "But, fortunately, the two economies are starting to grow gradually," Ms. Thomas said.

The diplomat also noted that Belarus had the needed potential to make an important contribution to long-term stability in the European region: "Our main task is to contribute to the development of closer relations between Belarus and the European Union. At the same time, we continue respecting Belarus' strategic relations with Russia and other CIS countries."