MINSK, 6 February (BelTA) – Belarus will continue strengthening cooperation with Russia, but will not overfocus on one country, Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told the media following the talks with Bulgaria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zakharieva in Sofia on 6 February, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus will move forward in line with its national interests. Our principled position is that we cannot and will not be friends with somebody against somebody else,” Vladimir Makei said.
In his words, historically Belarus has had good relations with “its big eastern neighbor” - Russia. “We will continue strengthening comprehensive cooperation with Russia. This does not mean, however, that we will overfocus on one country,” the minister said.
According to Vladimir Makei, dependence on one country is ruinous for such states as Belarus, especially at a time of global economic and financial turbulence. “We believe that balanced relations with all the states is needed for survival. Proceeding from this, a strategic decision has been taken to diversify our relations in trade, economy, politics, humanitarian affairs and other sectors,” the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs said.
