Lukashenko Finds Comrades in China :: Charter'97 :: News

Rather an outcast in the West, Lukashenko was embraced in Beijing, where he was on an official visit till Tuesday and where he found complete support and understanding. After Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Lukashenko was the second CIS leader, reaching out for help to China. He was promised economic aid and protection from accusations in authoritarianism. But the core political achievements of the tour were, of course, the strategic partnership declaration and the dialog on Belarus entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Lukashenko arrived in Beijing Sunday evening. On Monday, he headed for the Great Hall of the People, where he had an appointment with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The meeting of two presidents proved undoubtedly fruitful – Lukashenko and Jintao sealed 12 documents on bilateral ties improvement, including a political declaration on strategic partnership, memorandum on acknowledging the market status of each other and a protocol with China’s agreement for Belarus entry into the WTO.

Political relations were also in the limelight at the news conference held by the presidents. Lukashenko called China one of the core partners of Minsk and pledged assistance to China’s business in Belarus. For Lukashenko, one of the priorities was to show that China is no donor for Belarus, despite the $500-million loan granted to Minsk in time of the visit. The partnership is equal, according to Lukashenko, and of interest both to Belarus and China.

One of the most intriguing statements of Lukashenko relates to Belarus readiness to joint the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an observer. Should it happen, Belarus would become a sole European state in the organization, which currently unites only the countries of Asia and Eurasian Russia.

By www.kommersant.com