On Monday Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka met with a delegation of U.S. congressmen and dropped a hint that it would be nice if the U.S. helped Belarus in strengthening independence. There are more bonding factors than problems in Belarus-USA relations, he stated.
“We do not like when someone pushes us in the back. We will never agree if anyone imposes their will on us. But we can learn from the experience of others. If you put forward the ideas which will help enhance our country’s sovereignty, the ideas which will help improve the wellbeing of the Belarusian people, we will be grateful to you and will take them home immediately,” the president said.
Belarus was and will be interested in full-fledged cooperation with the United States of America, Lukashenka stressed during the meeting.
“For us the USA is a promising trading partner and an investor. We don’t try to hide it. We are interested in securing access to the solvent and vast American market for Belarusian manufacturers. At the same time we are ready to do everything to make your work in Belarus comfortable,” state-run news agency BelTA quotes Lukashenka as saying.
Belarus also appreciates the readiness of the United States to help Belarus join the World Trade Organization, Lukashenka stresses.
“I believe that the relations between the United States and Belarus should not be built on reports in mass media. Instead we should study the situation in the countries on the spot and make corresponding conclusions,” the Belarusian leader says.
In his turn, U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher suggested enhancing diplomatic ties between Belarus and the United States. In his opinion, the return of the U.S. Ambassador to Minsk and the Belarus Ambassador to Washington can be the first step in this direction.
www.belsat.eu/en/ via BelTA
