MINSK, 17 April (BelTA) – Belarus is extremely interested in tighter cooperation with the West in a number of areas. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian head of state pointed out that Belarus and the European Union have been having quite an intensive dialogue recently. New directions and interests in the bilateral cooperation have emerged.
In particular, according to the President, Belarus is interested in tighter cooperation with the European Union in the area of technologies, primarily civilian ones, and in the advancement of economic contacts. According to the Belarusian leader, economy should be the foundation of any relations and cooperation. Alexander Lukashenko remarked that security, particularly security in Eastern Europe, has come to the forefront. Apart from that, cooperation in suppressing transboundary crimes is important. The President stressed that Belarus makes a substantial contribution to efforts meant to prevent narcotics and nuclear substances from reaching Europe. “I hope this direction will be viewed more and more topical in the near future,” said the Belarusian head of state.
“There are very many avenues of cooperation,” summed up the President. He suggested discussing the European Union’s vision of prospects of cooperation with Belarus. “I am most of all interested in correcting or possibly remodeling our policy with regard to the European Union in the future,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.