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Relations with Russia remain top priority for Belarus - Lukashenka

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  • Relations with Russia remain top priority for Belarus - Lukashenka

    Relations with Russia remain top priority for Belarus, president says

    Belapan news agency
    1 Apr 05

    MINSK

    "Belarus adheres to a multivector principle in its foreign policy. Our
    foreign policy and diplomacy are there where our interests are
    present," official sources quoted [Belarusian President] Alyaksandr
    Lukashenka as saying on 1 April during a visit to the 28th weapons and
    ammunition storage base in Baranavichy [Brest Region].

    "One cannot choose neighbours, and good relations with them should be
    maintained," the president said. He said that growth is currently
    being observed in trade with western countries. In particular, a
    positive balance has been reported in trade with them. "But we have
    our own interests and we do not tolerate being lorded over, when they
    start pulling and pushing us and sometimes even insulting," the head
    of state said.

    The president said that "fraternal Russia" is a priority for Belarus's
    foreign policy. "Half of our economy depends on the east, on Russia
    today. Moscow and St Petersburg are not aliens for us. Russia is not
    an alien for us. This is our country, our Russia. I am saying this
    openly and frankly, though somebody will not like this," Alyaksandr
    Lukashenka said. "Even if I were thinking differently, I would have
    conducted this policy anyway because it originates from the people and
    not only from myself."

    The president also stressed that Belarus "was expecting certain
    reaction" from other members of the Collective Security Treaty
    Organization [CSTO, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
    Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia] to developments in Kyrgyzstan.
    Lukashenka believes that it is a sad fact that "one of the CSTO member
    states is being exposed to such an attack and destruction". "When our
    colleague is actually being ousted and we are pretending that nothing
    is happening, you understand that each country in this organization is
    also playing a certain role. We were expecting a certain reaction from
    other states. As you saw, there was no reaction at all, to say the
    least," the president added.

    [Belapan reported at 1426 gmt that Belarus is ready to discuss
    Russia's proposals on completing the construction of the Yamal-Europe
    gas pipeline and joint processing of oil for export to world
    markets. The news agency quoted Lukashenka as saying that these issues
    will be discussed during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir
    Putin on 4 April.]
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