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Lukashenko says Belarus relations with EU not detrimental to RF

The President said Belarus would pursue a highly active policy within the framework of integration with Russia and would never give it up
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MINSK, June 13 (Itar-Tass) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko states that Belarus builds a relationship with the European Union (EU) by no means to the detriment of the allied Russia. “We need to build normal relations with the EU and by no means to the detriment of our main ally - Russia,” he said here on Thursday during a meeting with State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin.

The President said Belarus would pursue a highly active policy within the framework of integration and would never give it up. "I hear statements made by some politicians, including those in Russia, on that score. Belarus does not plunge from side to side. One must simply understand that we are now between the two giants - Russia and the EU," Lukashenko said. In so doing he pointed out the importance of economic cooperation with due regard for the fact that the scope of Belarusian export to Russia and to the EU is about the same now.

Lukashenko remarked that there is now getting away from that, “and whoever is in a position of authority here (in Belarus) he will be building normal relations with the EU”. “Bad relations with the EU would not be of benefit to relations with Russia,” Lukashenko said. “As far as our accords with the RF are concerned, we actively cooperate within the framework of the Union State (of Russia and Belarus): this is inviolate; we shall never depart from this policy,” he added.

If it is demanded of Belarus to choose: either Russia, Europe, or some other association, “we shall never agree to such an attitude,” Lukashenko said.

“Our statements are never at variance with deeds,” Lukashenko stated.