Belarus is keen to co-operate closely with the West across a range of directions

Belarus is keen to co-operate closely with the West across a range of directions, notes Alexander Lukashenko, meeting the European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn

The Belarusian Head of State pointed out that Belarus and the EU have been enjoying more intensive dialogue of late, with new directions and interests in bilateral co-operation emerging.

In particular, according to the President, Belarus is interested in tighter co-operation with the European Union in the area of technologies, primarily those for civilian use, and in the advancement of economic contacts. Mr. Lukashenko believes that collaboration should centre around trade, although security, particularly security in Eastern Europe, is also to the fore, with the need to suppress trans-boundary crimes. Mr. Lukashenko stressed that Belarus is making a substantial contribution to efforts to prevent drugs and nuclear substances from reaching Europe. “I hope this direction will receive more attention in the near future,” he admitted.

“There are a great many areas of collaboration,” he emphasised, adding, “I’m primarily interested in adjusting, or possibly remodelling, our policy towards the European Union,” stressed Mr. Lukashenko. The President believes that the European Union should determine several avenues of interaction with the Eurasian Economic Union.

“If someone in Europe believes that they can continue ignoring this association [the Eurasian Economic Union], that would be unwise,” said Mr. Lukashenko. “Many countries across the globe are showing interest, particularly across Asia. I think that the European Union could know more about the main trends within the Eurasian Economic Union and should start building relations with this large market.” The President believes that an initiative for global co-operation, from Lisbon to Vladivostok, is essential, noting, “We’ll see our military political blocs maintaining contact and perhaps co-operating in the future,” referring to NATO and the CSTO.