Belarus is ready for an open dialogue with the West but not at the expense of infringing national interests. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement on 21 February as he received a report from Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, the press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA.“Frankly speaking, I’d like to hear out information about our work in the Western direction. I think we have no problems in the Eastern direction as a matter of principle,” said Alexander Lukashenko.The President reminded that Belarus is intent on pursuing a multiple-vector policy. “We will implement it. We don’t need any problems in the West and even more so in the East. But it doesn’t mean that we will deviate, try to gain something, change our criteria and the policy. Our policy remains unchanged. It was determined by my address to the Belarusian people and the parliament,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.Speaking about Belarus’ relations with the European Union and the USA, Vladimir Makei noted that glimpses of some shifts had emerged. “We believe that no serious breakthrough has been reached because there are real obstacles in our relations, which, unfortunately, cannot be overcome within a day or a month, but we are beginning to see glimpses of shifts that enable hope for normalizing our relations with the European Union and the USA,” said the Belarusian Foreign Minister.Vladimir Makei also informed Alexander Lukashenko about the progress in preparing Belarus-EU agreements on facilitating visa regulations and on readmission.The head of state said that the Belarusian side is ready for an open and sincere dialogue with European partners, the USA but not at the expense of infringing Belarusian interests.“The Foreign Ministry will keep in mind the instructions of the head of state as guidelines. In the example of some neighboring countries we can see what the forbearance of radicalism and extremism on the part of some European partners of ours can produce,” said Vladimir Makei after the meeting.
Written by belta.by
