Events

President holds meeting with heads of Belarusian diplomatic missions

MINSK, 23 July (BelTA) – Belarus will continue pursuing a multiple-vector foreign policy accompanied by timely pinpointed and flexible corrections. The statement was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with heads of Belarusian overseas institutions. Cabinet officials, heads of key ministries and government agencies, directors of major export companies took part in the meeting as well.

In his opening speech the President drew attention to the problem of red-tape practices and sluggish operation of some national and local executive authorities. Such phenomena must not be tolerated because they scare away foreign partners.

Belarus Ambassador to China Anatoly Tozik said that in 2008 Belarus-China trade reached $2 billion. The goal was reached two years ahead of schedule. Investment projects are being implemented in Belarus, with $1.5 billion in Chinese loans allocated for them. 26 June saw a credit line opened. The disbursement of $200 million for building cement mills took place. Belarus has begun receiving direct Chinese investments to the tune of millions of dollars so far but the future success will depend on the implementation of the first projects.

Belarus Ambassador to the UK Alexander Mikhnevich informed that in Belarus’ trade with the United Kingdom started growing in May 2009, recovering after the crisis. Despite the deep recession the UK remains one of the world’s leading economies and a country, which is extremely attractive for business. London has preserved its status of the world financial capital. “Here Belarus can and should announce its financial capabilities before the mainstream audience,” said the diplomat.

Ministers of agriculture and food, architecture and construction, directors of export companies also made their speeches at the meeting.

Summing up results of the discussion, the President of Belarus outlined main principles of the national foreign policy and the avenues that will be particularly emphasised in the near and mid-term future.

The line North-South

Over the years Belarus has made a breakthrough into the historically new dimension along the line North-South. It was implemented through building advanced and mutually profitable relations with China, India, Iran, Vietnam, Persian Gulf countries, Venezuela. Belarus turned out to be capable of working with these partners in drastically new forms. In particular, since 2008 Belarus has been prospecting and extracting Venezuelan oil, selling it on the international market at a profit.

Russia and EU

Alexander Lukashenko underlined that Belarus is not going to choose between Russia and the European Union. Cooperation with the European Union cannot be promoted at the expense of relations with Russia and vice versa. “It is very important to understand that Belarus’ independence is multi-directed, which implies independence from all. I am sure that honest and true partners on both sides will support our choice,” he said.

The President stated that disputes with Russia are becoming more frequent and serious. Consistency and a systematic approach are seen in this trend sometimes. Belarus is concerned and disappointed about this. Considering the common history, Belarus and Russia can build special unique relations as independence states.

Belarus welcomes the brand new status of relations with the European Union and clearly understands that the dialogue with the European Union will not be simple. However, the Belarusian side will remain dedicated to building mutual relations on an equality basis without requirements and conditions. “Like every other country Belarus has its own way of advancement that corresponds to the degree of development, peculiarities of history and economy, and, none the less important, human psychology. Our own way doesn’t mean the worst one,” said the head of state.

Belarus and USA

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that both the European Union and the USA now understand that one can use different ways to reach the same goal. “It is important that, guided by new relations with Belarus, the European Union and the US administration do not aim for dislodging the existing government in our country,” he stressed. Such large countries as Germany, Italy, and France have become the engine pushing Belarus into common European processes. “We are thankful for that. We understand what it cost for them to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices against our country that emerged during the years of isolation,” said the President. He added that Belarus is ready to respond with the tightest cooperation possible.

Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that Belarus is not a beseecher, but an equal participant of the Eastern Partnership initiative. The extent of Belarus’ participation in this programme will be determined by the country’s own interests and in no way by the gratitude for getting invited to participate in this project.

Belarus would like to significantly enhance trade, economic and investment cooperation with the USA, remarked Alexander Lukashenko. “Look, such US giants as Caterpillar and Honeywell are dying to get into our market. I think the new US government has enough pragmatism and common sense to realize that such contacts in no way threaten national interests of the United States,” he said.

According to the President, the present US administration shows a great determination to act more responsibly in the changing world. “The role and place of the USA in the system of international relations is being re-thought. I hope this will have a positive impact on Belarus,” added Alexander Lukashenko.

The President stated that Belarus is a reliable partner of the USA in the fight against the international crime, illegal drug trade, and human trafficking. Belarus plays an effective role in maintaining the regional stability and security. “We share principles of the international anti-terrorism coalition and are ready for closer cooperation in export control and fight against terrorism,” he said.

“We expect the USA to lift the economic sanctions that humiliate the USA, too. This will signal the readiness to fully restore the mutual diplomatic presence. We invite the United States to hold a constructive dialogue about the entire range of topical issues. We are ready to reach out to the United States to restore the mutual understanding and trust,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus in the post-Soviet space

Belarus is still interested in developing integration processes in the post-Soviet space. The head of state said that thanks to many years of efforts the completion of the establishment of the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan is close at hand. “Although the possible outcome of this union is not totally clear yet, we believe that the implementation of this project will determine the consolidation of the virtually larger part of the post-Soviet space for decades,” added Alexander Lukashenko. The Customs Union could considerably increase the role of the post-Soviet space in the international globalization, believes the President.

Belarus should promote full-fledged and tight partnership with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

Alexander Lukashenko believes there are major prospects in the bilateral cooperation with Ukraine. “The pre-crisis trade turnover with Ukraine is impressive: it is the largest trade volume after Russia and exceeds the trade with Germany and Poland. The fact that Belarus-Ukraine trade is balanced is a significant advantage,” the President is convinced.

In the present economic conditions Ukraine can provide an access to southern seas to Belarus as well as a transit route for Belarusian exports. With the energy situation getting worse as a whole, in view of the emerging reconfiguration of traditional energy transit routes Belarus is forced to see a new strategic area of cooperation in Ukraine, a possible future way to deliver energy resources to Belarus. “Although the perspective is not crystal clear for now, it would be a mistake to scrap it,” believes the head of state.