Despite its best efforts, Belarus has been...

"We [Belarus and Russia] sign serious documents, agree large-scale accords with our strategic ally [Russia], but at the same time can"t secure transparent and fair terms of mutual trade," Lukashenko said, adding that Minsk was patiently building bilateral relations with Moscow and would continue to do so.

Lukashenko"s statement came after a visit to Venezuela during which he agreed with President Hugo Chavez that the Latin American country would supply up to 80,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Belarus. The deal follows a bitter dispute with Russia at the start of the year over duty-free oil imports.

Lukashenko said Minsk"s contacts in other regions should not be seen by Russians or Europeans as a disaster or backtracking on its earlier position, saying Belarus was seeking to make a profit where it could find understanding.

Relations between Moscow and Minsk have been soured by a series of economic disputes, including over Russian energy supplies and Belarusian

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