/ / News
05.10.2012

Lukashenko urges EU to stop pressurizing Belarus

MINSK, 5 October (BelTA) – President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has urged the European Union to stop exerting useless pressure on Belarus and start building mutual trust. The President made this statement as he received credentials from foreign ambassadors on 5 October, BelTA has learnt.

“We expect the European Union to abandon useless pressure on our country and take steps to prove themselves as a serious partner and a good neighbor. The heads of the diplomatic missions of the EU member states will play a huge role in the process,” the head of state said.

“The mentoring attitude and the vision which is asserted as the only right one can be applied to countries that seek to become part of the European Union someday. However, Belarus is not among them. On the way towards evolutionary transformation or, if you want, modernization of the political and economic systems, it is not in the interests of our people to dance to someone’s tune,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“At the same time Europe and Belarus understand the ultimate goal of our reforms in the same way: strengthening of Belarus’ positions as a modern, responsible, and democratic European state. We appreciate benevolent and respectful attitude and respond in the same way,” the President said. Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus is an integral part of the modern big Europe: “We share the common responsibility for its future and are ready to actively collaborate with European states to promote prosperity and security of the entire continent”.

Addressing the diplomats from the EU member states, in particular, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Bruce Bucknell, the Belarusian head of state said, “We are ready to collaborate if you are also ready. I think it is time to drop these stereotypes and routine accusations on the part of the European Union towards Belarus. It is time to find common ground; I think it is what matters most”.

During a brief conversation with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania Linas Linkevicius, the President of Belarus expressed confidence that the parties will handle all the issues. “I think we are destined to cooperate,” he said.