Belarus to have its ports in Baltic Sea within 2 years - Lukashenko

MINSK. March 5 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has promised that Belarus will have its own ports in the Baltic Sea within two years.

"We will have ports there within two years. We will load our cargoes there in our ports," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by his press service at the Minsk Track competition in Raubichi.

Responding to a question, Lukashenko said he had earlier discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"I discussed this matter with the president [in our] most recent [meeting]. Even before this conflict. We are talking about the construction of port infrastructure. We need our own ports. Therefore, places were promptly determined. The places are very good. It has already been reported to me," the Belarusian president said.

Lukashenko said he intends to go there and see in person how the construction of Belarusian ports is going this coming spring or in early summer.

Lukashenko said Putin has promised him support for any Belarusian projects on the territory of the Russian Federation. "It was before the conflict. And now it's only right. Because you see [what these] crazy [people are doing] in Europe: sanctions against Russia, and we come along. To prevent Russia from bypassing the sanctions through Belarus. What can you say," Lukashenko said.