MINSK, 21 June (BelTA) – Trade and economic relations are the basis for developing partnership with the EU, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn on 21 June, BelTA informs.
“While building relations with any country or union, we, experienced politicians, understand very well that it is better to anticipate certain events, restore and establish close relations at our own initiative. It is not good when it happens under the pressure of some circumstances, events. Therefore, we need to meet each other halfway openly, without any pressure from outside," the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that “despite difficulties, sometimes considerable ones, Belarus has never been an obstacle to your movement to the East, Russia, China, and perhaps even Japan”. “We have always been a good transit window for the European Union. We have never banned your businesses from moving goods, workforce, and capital to and via Belarus,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
The president stressed: “Unfortunately, we do not see the same on the part of the European Union. I want you to understand: we will insist that the European Union be as open for us as we are open for you. This is the major issue which needs to be addressed, since trade and economic relations, and also the freedom the European Union stands for (freedom in the broadest sense – freedom for business, citizens) are the fundamental principles on which any state is based.”
