MINSK, December 30. /TASS/. Belarus will try to normalize relations with the West but not to the prejudice of Russia, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.

Belarus borders the West and wants no clashes - either political, or diplomatic, he said. “The West accounts for half of our trade. If the West extends a hand of cooperation, we should take advantage of that,” he said, adding that Belarus should stand no pressure for either the West or the East, especially in the light of forthcoming presidential elections in 2015.

At the same time, he stressed that Belarus will never act to the prejudice of Russia. “No one will substitute for this country for us,” he noted.