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Lukashenko wants tougher response to unfriendly moves towards Belarus

MINSK, 6 July (BelTA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to respond more actively to any unfriendly moves towards Belarus, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss response to sanctions on 6 July, BelTA has learned.

“I am looking forward to hearing the proposals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on how to build relations with the countries that are beating the drum for wearing down Belarus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to respond more actively to any unfriendly moves in relation to Belarus. What retaliatory measures are to be taken if the sanctions keep snowballing? Let’s think about it,” the Belarusian leader said.

The president also asked about diplomatic efforts to counter sanctions in international organizations and international courts. “One gets a feeling that our diplomats are keeping a low profile and keeping their heads down. Why are we not going to court, and if we do why does our society not know about it?” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“We were not interested in such a turn in diplomatic relations with western states. And it is not for us to turn this story back. But life goes on. Fortunately, the modern world is much bigger than the borders of the European Union. Our economy is not that big to fret about these sanctions. We can sell the surplus that we have to the rest of the world,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He pointed to significant untapped potential in trade with Russia, Asia, primarily China, Vietnam, India and Pakistan, as well as Africa, Latin America, the Gulf countries and the Middle East.

“These are dynamically growing economies, solvent markets, real competitors to today’s superpowers. At the same time they do not find fault with us and do not teach us how to live,” the Belarusian leader said.

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