Lukashenka: relations with Russia are getting more pragmatic :: Charter'97 :: News

Aliaksandar Lukashenka stated this Tuesday in Minsk at the meeting with Belarusian diplomats that “not only the CIS is attacked - the attempts to part our countries, to stir them up against each other are growing outside and inside.” “Here I mean the transformation of the GUAM (international organization of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) into the Community of Democratic Choice,” - Lukashenka explained. He pointed out, however, the relations of Belarus and Russia had got more pragmatic.

According to the Belarusian President, “our relations are concentrated mostly on the territory of Russia”. “Today the union with Russia ensures the maximal political and economic feedback for Belarus,” - A.Lukashenka said. “Indeed, our relations have become more pragmatic, which is stipulated by the interests of both Belarus and Russia. I’m convinced that in future out relations will be based on reasonably balanced terms, strategic meaning of the union for the two parts,” - the Belarusian Head of state said. “Strategies are not traded,” he emphasized.

Moreover, A.Lukashenka urged “to consider the post-soviet potential in the scope of energy, raw materials, market and integration.” “We must ground our decisions and develop multi- and bilateral cooperation basing on the fact that our major priorities and future reserves are set there,” - he emphasized. A.Lukashenka cited the relations with Ukraine and Moldova as an example. “No matter whether Kiev and Kishinev leave the CIS or stay, our trade relations with these countries will be preserved. We have took care of the legal basis for it,” - A.Lukashenka said.

Our cooperation with the Central Asian states should be paid particular attention too, as A.Lukashenka deems. “With its strategic role, its resources, Central Asia is the future Middle East,” - A.Lukashenka added and said he hoped “it (Central Asia) will avoid the political lot of the region (Middle East).”