MINSK, 14 October (BelTA) - Belarus is ready to make a big deal with the United States, but its interests must necessarily be taken into account, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss the situation in the world and Belarus-USA relations in Minsk on 14 October, BelTA has learned.
Speaking about relations between Belarus and the United States, the president noted that the trend towards resuming bilateral dialogue has gained “some positive momentum.” This has already been mentioned more than once and when the time comes, the public will be informed in detail, the president noted. “I suppose the time has finally come to say something on this matter. But before saying anything about Belarusian-U.S. relations, and especially the prospects for these relations, I would like to consult with you today," the president said as he addressed the meeting participants.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that a number of meetings with special envoys of the U.S. president have recently taken place in Minsk. “Experience has shown that the Americans get engaged in all these contacts exclusively for pragmatic purposes," he noted. “Undoubtedly, our policy of renewing relations with the United States must also be based solely on Belarusian interests."
Moreover, according to the president, Belarus is prepared to make certain compromises and take the first steps, expecting that the Americans will deliver on their promises. This is happening, for example, in the case of lifting sanctions from Belavia Airline. “They announced the removal of sanctions against Belavia but some ‘loose ends’ remain. Both Cherginets [Belavia’s director general] and other managers of Belavia state that the lifting of these sanctions does not yet fully release Belavia from some foolish obligations. We cannot fly everywhere, repair or buy [aircraft and parts] everywhere. The Americans acknowledge this. They say: some time is needed to eliminate these ‘loose ends’. Very well,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Speaking about relations between Belarus and the United States, the president noted that the trend towards resuming bilateral dialogue has gained “some positive momentum.” This has already been mentioned more than once and when the time comes, the public will be informed in detail, the president noted. “I suppose the time has finally come to say something on this matter. But before saying anything about Belarusian-U.S. relations, and especially the prospects for these relations, I would like to consult with you today," the president said as he addressed the meeting participants.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that a number of meetings with special envoys of the U.S. president have recently taken place in Minsk. “Experience has shown that the Americans get engaged in all these contacts exclusively for pragmatic purposes," he noted. “Undoubtedly, our policy of renewing relations with the United States must also be based solely on Belarusian interests."
Moreover, according to the president, Belarus is prepared to make certain compromises and take the first steps, expecting that the Americans will deliver on their promises. This is happening, for example, in the case of lifting sanctions from Belavia Airline. “They announced the removal of sanctions against Belavia but some ‘loose ends’ remain. Both Cherginets [Belavia’s director general] and other managers of Belavia state that the lifting of these sanctions does not yet fully release Belavia from some foolish obligations. We cannot fly everywhere, repair or buy [aircraft and parts] everywhere. The Americans acknowledge this. They say: some time is needed to eliminate these ‘loose ends’. Very well,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
"We will wait for their big proposals, for a big deal, as they like to say (they love these big deals). We are ready for this. We are ready to make a big deal with them. On one side of the scale are their questions, requests, and demands; on the other side are our questions and demands. Shall we work on them? Let's do it. We are ready for this. I view Donald Trump's proposals in this regard as absolutely normal. But our interests must also be taken into account. And everything must be honest, as we once agreed with the Americans,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
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