Belarus eager to normalise relations with West, but brotherly Russia is our number one - Lukashenka

31.12.201409:12

Belarus will strive to normalise relations with the West. Belarus president Aliaksandr Lukashenka said on Tuesday when introducing newly appointed Head of the Belarus President Administration Aliaksandr Kosinets, BelTA reports.

According to Lukashenka, the Belarus President Administration should keep an eye on foreign politics. “The geopolitical situation in the world and around our country is getting more and more complicated,” he said.

“There are positive moments both in politics and economy [in relations with the West – Belsat]. Let’s continue working in this direction. Yet we must not allow any pressure on us. We will not tolerate any pressure from the West or the East, particularly in view of the forthcoming election”.

The president also stressed that Belarus pursues a multiple-vector foreign policy.

Speaking about relations with Russia, Aliaksandr Lukashenka said: “Nobody can substitute this country for us today. Belarus will not act to the detriment of brotherly Russia”.

At the same time, he remarked: “We border on the West and want no clashes — either political or diplomatic ones. Half of our trade is over there. If the West offers cooperation to us, we should grab the opportunity. We will strive to normalise relations with the West.”