MINSK. Feb 19 (Interfax-AVN) - Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has denied Western media reports that Belarus was involved in illegal arms trading.
Belarussian authorities "have never breached international norms and rules of arms trading," Lukashenko told the Wall Street Journal.
Last week, a group of U.S. congressmen observed the work of the Belarussian defense industry and met with government officials in charge of the arms trade, he said. U.S. representatives "do not have any more questions" because all the necessary materials were provided to them, he said.
The arms trade plays an important role in the economy of many countries including the United States. "Belarus' sales in the arms market is a drop in the ocean compared to America's" share, he said. Weapons are not assembled in Belarus. "Its military-industrial complex turns out spare parts for several types of military equipment, as well as optic tools, mathematical programs, unique command systems, and integral schemes including for other countries' space programs. Combat equipment is repaired" in Belarus too, he said.