MINSK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The decision to introduce increased tariffs on Belarusian imports of agricultural products and potash fertilizers to the EU is blatant trade protectionism and unfair competition, Ruslan Varankov, spokesperson for Belarusian Foreign Ministry, told local media on Friday.
Commenting on the decision of the European Parliament to introduce increased tariffs on Belarusian goods, the official said such decisions of the European Union punish only its own producers and consumers. These decisions add fuel to the fire of social discontent instead of fighting the impending economic recession and inflation against the background of a sharp increase in military spending, he added.
