National News

Belarus is economically interested in the West, Alexander Lukashenko says

Belarus is economically very much interested in the West, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said today during a meeting with a delegation of the Siberian Federal District of Russia.

Today, nearly 45% of Belarusian exports are bound for Russia and 45% - for the European Union, he said.

At the same time, according to Alexander Lukashenko, Russian mass media often criticise Belarus, alleging it has “turned away” to the West and claiming it forsakes the interests of the Russians and the Union State. “We are situated in the centre of Europe and cannot fail to develop relations with the West. We must have a normal dialogue and this is advantageous for Russia too,” the Head of State said.

However, the President said, Belarus will continue adhering firmly to the agreements reached earlier with the Russian Federation. “We have never failed Russia, not even in small things,” Alexander Lukashenko said.