Belarus to redirect 20 mln tonnes cargo to St. Petersburg ports - Lukashenko

ST. PETERSBURG. June 24 (Interfax) - Belarus plans to agree with Russia to re-direct 20 million tonnes of cargo through the ports of St. Petersburg, President Alexander Lukashenko told the city's governor Alexander Beglov on Friday.

"With regard to Western pressure on Belarus, we fully want to re-orientate our flows - some 20 million tonnes - to your ports. Moreover, I will ask for your support and assistance. We already spoke about it with the president [of Russia]. You know he called you regarding the matter," Lukashenko said.

The move should create good jobs in St. Petersburg, he said.

"I think that if you and I turn this around, this would be a good chunk of work for St. Petersburg and good jobs for our friends there," Lukashenko said.

Russia and Belarus should increase their trade, he said.

"We will do everything in order - as is now fashionable to say - not to lose this, Russian, platform. Our trade is developing well, and we can do more. Especially, given the behavior of Western partners, as one would say. I think, over the course of this year and next, we will get to the level we should be at in Belarusian-Russian cooperation and development. We will overcome all hardships and obstacles, especially in the economy," Lukashenko said.

Bilateral trade has grown at an annual rate of 15 percent , he said.