BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19/01/2009

Belarus seeks further constructive dialogue with EU - Lukashenko

MINSK, January 19 (Itar-Tass) - Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday Belarus is ready to maintain a constructive dialogue with the European Union on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

"We are interested in full-fledged cooperation with the EU that is one of our biggest trade, economic and investment partners," he said handing over credentials to ambassadors, including to the head of the European Commission's delegation to Ukraine and Belarus, Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira.

Lukashenko stressed that economic expediency "is an important stimulus to boost relations." "Belarus is a distinctive bridge that links the East and the West."

"Under the conditions of the global crisis and reconsideration of the world order Belarus sees the way out in consolidation of the world community's efforts on the basis of good neighbourliness, mutual understanding and respectful attitude to the values of all nations," the president said.

He noted that without Belarus' active participation an effective and comprehensive solution to such pressing problems in the European region as environmental pollution, energy security, the development of transport, transit and customs infrastructure and the fight against illegal migration are hardly possible.

"Due to its stable social and economic development and accord in the society, well-balanced and peaceable foreign policy Belarus makes a considerable contribution to ensuring security and stability in Europe," Lukashenko said.

He stressed that there is a recent trend of improving relations with Europe and the US, while Belarus' economic development model becomes recognized. The Belarussian leader reiterated that recently his country received a multi-billion-dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund and the talks with the World Bank are also underway.

"This proves that we do something right," he said.

Source:

http://itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=13490155

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