Lukashenko: Belarus expects concrete steps from the West

MINSK, 24 May (BelTA) – Belarus expects the West to make concrete steps that would contribute to normalizing the relations, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he heard out a report from Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov.

The press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA, Alexander Lukashenko asked Sergei Martynov to brief him on the situation in the European direction. “I hear more and more statements that European diplomats are waiting for some amnesty here, raising the matter of political prisoners and so on,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “I would like to state it publicly right away that I am not going to revisit this topic. I also said everything publicly in my address to the Belarusian nation and the parliament. I see no reasons to change my position at the moment”.

“We expect concrete steps from the West, the European Union. The ball is on their side. I am strongly convinced of it. Therefore I am not going to wait again for old musical instruments to play old sheet music,” stressed the President of Belarus.

The head of state gave instructions regarding the policy Belarus should pursue to normalize relations with Western partners while meticulously observing national interests and taking into account normal and productive cooperation goals.