19.04.2013
Lukashenko: No use asking Belarus to turn its back on Russia
MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) - Belarus will never succumb to outside demands to turn its back on Russia, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he delivered the State of the Nation Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly.
“We are allies with brotherly Russia. We have no political differences. We are on the way towards the highest level of bilateral cooperation within the Union State, however some would not want it,” he said, adding that relations with the neighbors are a natural priority for Belarus.
“Once again I want to say it, frankly and absolutely honestly, for the EU, the United States and others: when negotiating with you, we will never proceed from the position whether we are with you or with Russia. There is no such choice for us and cannot be!” he said.
“We are allies with brotherly Russia. We have no political differences. We are on the way towards the highest level of bilateral cooperation within the Union State, however some would not want it,” he said, adding that relations with the neighbors are a natural priority for Belarus.
“Once again I want to say it, frankly and absolutely honestly, for the EU, the United States and others: when negotiating with you, we will never proceed from the position whether we are with you or with Russia. There is no such choice for us and cannot be!” he said.