Belarus sees no reasons not to cooperate with U.S., EU - Lukashenko
MINSK. Jan 15 (Interfax) - While Belarus will always seek to preserve brotherly relations with Russia, it is determined at the same time to make efforts to normalize its relationships with the European Union and the U.S., Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.
"After all, we are not getting mad at Russia's purposefully making colossal efforts to normalize its relations with the West. So you don't get mad either. It's better to calm down and work routinely," Lukashenko said at the Belarusian parliament on Thursday.
"Russia won't replace anyone for us," Lukashenko said. "And when I converse with Western ambassadors, I ask them: Will you replace Russia? After all, it's seen perfectly from the Ukraine example where this friendship [with the West] can lead - it can get you bogged down," he said.
"Therefore I say: this is our Russia, we have the closest possible relations with this country, it has always offered us its shoulder, true, not without problems, but this has always been that way," he said.
Belarus's trade turnover with Russia is just as large as that with the U.S. and the EU countries, Lukashenko said. "So why shouldn't we cooperate with them? These relations are somewhat different, but they need to be built," he said.
Therefore, he added, "no one should strain themselves either here or there."
"We will be building our relations with the EU and the U.S. consistently and purposefully," he said.
At the same time, Lukashenko said these countries are expecting some signals from Belarus and waiting for presidential elections to be held there. Minsk understands this caution and is ready to wait, he said.
"We have never been and will never be traitors, and we openly declare our position," he said.
