MINSK, 28 September (BelTA) – The UK pullout from the European Union is a dangerous precedent that can destroy this union. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with participants of the plenary assembly of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) on 28 September, BelTA has learned.
The head of state underlined that in modern conditions the church should speak up and appeal to politicians and statesmen to stop war and bolster security on the European continent unless they want to totally lose Europe. “Hot clashes in Europe are now part of the reality. Brexit is a dangerous precedent that can destroy the European Union,” noted the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that he had told the UK Minister of State Alan Duncan that Belarus advocates Europe's unity and the unity of the European Union in particular. “Because we support a multipolar world while the European Union is one the main pillars of calmness and equilibrium in the world these days,” stated Alexander Lukashenko. “If we lose this pillar, if it is destroyed, the world will tilt even more. You know to what effect.”
The president stressed he has no intention of accusing the UK of making a wrong decision. “It is the will of the people of Great Britain. It is up to them to decide what union they want to be part of. Contrariwise, I remember when politicians and state figures — I am even convinced that the British church did it — called for reforming the European Union in order to accommodate many nations, including the UK. But the plea fell on deaf ears in Brussels. Now we are reaping the consequences,” he stated.
“Now all the politicians — new and old ones alike — in Europe are talking about reforming the European Union right now. It needs reform,” concluded the Belarusian leader.
