Delayed transition to common currency with Russia will cause loss in Belarussian economy

"A delay by Belarus of the process of transition to a common Russian-Belarussian currency will lead only to a resultant loss by the Belarussian economy", vice-chairman of the State Duma (the lower chamber of the Russian parliament) committee on economic policy and entrepreneurship Anatoly Aksakov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The Russian rouble is a more stable currency than the Belarussian 'hare'", the deputy noted and recalled that the European countries which strive for integration have adopted a common currency, euro.

According to Aksakov, if Minsk comes out against common currency and economic space with Russia it can result in an increase by Russia of the prices of the energy carriers supplied to Belarus, and in a hike of the interest rates on the state credits which Russia annually grants to the neighbour country very cheaply.

"Besides that, the question of return of the special credits which Belarus received from Russia for introduction of the Russian rouble may be raised," the vice-chairman of the State Duma committee on economic policy noted.