OREANDA-NEWS. July 27, 2009. Belarus will not deviate from the principle of pursuing a multi-directed foreign policy, but will be adjusting and fine-tuning it in a timely manner, said President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in the course of the meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of the Republic of Belarus abroad. The meeting was also attended by members of the Government, heads of the key ministries, agencies and biggest Belarusian exporting companies, reported the Official website president.gov.by.

Three years have passed since the President’s last meeting with the Belarusian diplomatic corps. All the 26 instructions given by the President in 2006 have been carried out. They had mostly to do with expanding Belarus’ international cooperation in energy issues, creating commodity distribution networks and logistical centres, normalising relations with the European Union, expanding economic cooperation within the EurAsEC.

The multi-directedness of Belarusian foreign policy has provoked much speculation lately, specifically in the context of Belarus’ relations with Russia and the EU, Alexander Lukashenko said. ‘The root of the issue lies, as always, in the simple – in interests,’ he said. ‘There have been a lot of statements and mutual rebukes coming from the various sides in the East and the West in recent months regarding spheres of influence, areas of geopolitical and life interests. There is one flaw in these discussions: Belarus is considered only as an object of someone’s interests,’ said the Head of State. ‘And what about our interests, the interests of Belarus? These are the most legitimate and justified interests . We will be promoting them strongly and making sure we are treated with respect by all our allies and partners,’ said the President.

The President has emphasized that the changing angle of cooperation between Belarus and the European Union has not come as a result of some bargain, pliancy, or PR.

Belarus welcomes a qualitatively new state of relations with the European Union and understands perfectly well that the dialogue with the EU will not be easy. But the position of the Belarusian side remains unchanged: the relations should be based on equal rights, without any requirements and preconditions. ‘Just like any other nation, Belarus has its own way of moving forward, which is adequate considering this country’s state of development, its history, economy, and, what is also important, the psychology of the people. One’s own does not mean the worst one,’ said the Head of State.

The President underscored the special role and commitment of Belarus in consolidating Europe. There is no altruism about it, he said; rather a pragmatic and simple reason, which is that Belarus and its people will only benefit from the consolidation of Europe.

Belarus seeks to create a belt of good neighbourliness in economy, politics, culture, in freedom of communication and movement of people, and not just for itself but also for Russia and the EU. So far, it is hard to identify the exact forms this belt of good neighbourliness will take, Alexander Lukashenko said. Maybe it will be part of the common economic space that the EU and Russia designed several years ago. To become an integral part of it would be a key strategic objective for Belarus.

‘If the EU really wants to create a zone of prosperity and stability on its borders, than there is hardly a country among the European neighbours that meets these criteria better than Belarus,’ said the Head of State. The level and quality of life in Belarus is better than in many other countries of the region; the borders of Belarus are not an issue of territorial disputes and claims; there are no ethnic or religious rifts, no social tensions in Belarus; the level of social stratification is at a minimum. All this is a result of the creative and socially-oriented policy of the state, said the President.

Belarus will work consistently to develop and improve its society in accordance with its needs rather than following somebody else’s pattern and dictations, said the President.
 
‘What is needed and what is important is not the ‘external’ democracy. Even less so if it is imported and implanted from outside. Hastily cultivated, such democracy is unstable,’ said the Belarusian leader.

‘It is clear that democracy is a good thing. Now we have no less democracy than anyone else of our neighbours. I mean the democracy that a man and his family really need every day. Not the twaddle paid for by foreign sponsors,’ said the Head of State. Belarus will continue to do everything as it should do, in a manner befitting a state located in the heart of the European continent, consistently and steadily, in the Belarusian manner.

Both the EU and the United States have come to the understanding of the possibility to move different ways towards one goal. ‘It is fundamentally important that the European Union, being guided by its new relationship with Belarus, and the administration of the United States do not make it their objective to bring down the present government of our country,’ he said. And such big countries as Germany, Italy, France have become true locomotives in involving Belarus in European processes. ‘We are grateful for it as we understand what it cost them to be the first to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices with regard to our state, which were formed during the years of isolation,’ said the President. The Belarusian side is prepared to respond to it in the form of the closest possible cooperation.

Alexander Lukashenko has stressed that Belarus has become part of the Eastern Partnership not as a beggar, but rather as an equal participant. The level of involvement of Belarus in this programme will be determined exclusively in accordance with Belarus’ national interests, and ‘in no way because we are grateful for being invited there’.

Belarus is interested in expanding trade, economic cooperation and investment interaction with the United States, said Alexander Lukashenko. ‘You see that giant companies from the United States would like very much to get into our market. I think that the team that has come to power [in the United States] has enough pragmatism and common sense to understand that such contacts do not threaten U.S. national interests in any way,’ he said.

According to the President, today everything that the new U.S. administration does ‘shows that they are committed to play a more responsible role in the changing world’. ‘There is a rethinking of the place and significance of the United States in the system of international relations. I hope this process will have a positive influence on Belarus too,’ added Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus is a reliable partner for the United States in fighting international crime, illegal drugs traffic, human trafficking, and is an effective element is ensuring regional stability and security. ‘We share the principles of international antiterrorism coalition and are prepared for closer cooperation in export control and fight against terrorism,’ he said.

‘We expect the American side to lift economic sanctions, which are humiliating for the United States itself. It will become a signal for the mutual reinstatement of the full diplomatic presence,’ said the Head of State. ‘We offer the United States a substantial and constructive dialogue on the entire range of urgent issues and are prepared to be the first to extend a helping hand for restoring the climate of mutual understanding and trust,’ he said.