Energy
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday that in 2012 his country plans to import 10 million tons of oil from Venezuela to reduce its reliance on neighboring Russia.

"We imported four million tons this year; next year (we will import) eight to nine million and in (2012) 10 million tons," said Lukashenko, as quoted by the official news agency Belta.

Lukashenko made these statements during a visit to Mozir refinery, which will process Venezuelan crude and will export it to other European countries, Efe reported.

The Belarus government is still weighing the most cost-effective route to receive the Venezuelan oil.