OREANDA-NEWS. February 2, 2009. Belarus highly appreciates the positive steps made by the European Union, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview on February 2.

“There is some progress in the efforts to bring about a rapprochement between Belarus and the EU. We highly appreciate it. We think that it is a kind of starting point for developing our relations,” the President underlined.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the EU is the second largest Belarus’ foreign trading partner. “The mutual interests we have encourage us to develop normal relations,” he said.

The Belarusian head of state pointed out that Belarus welcomes EU efforts to promote Eastern Partnership project. “We welcome this positive step of the European Union towards its neighbours. This step is pragmatic, reasonable and timely,” the President said.