Opinions & Interviews

ORSHA DISTRICT, 4 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko emphasized an exceptionally peaceful policy of the Belarusian state and people as he spoke to the residents of the village of Bolbasovo, Orsha District on 4 November, BelTA has learned.

"We are peaceful people, we do not want war. We are not rich, but we do not ask anyone for anything. We will earn our happiness ourselves. If we work, we will do everything ourselves. I have already said that tens and hundreds of years of negotiations are better than one day of war. For this [peaceful and prosperous life] we must be a single whole, see our goals, and live as we see it right,” said the head of state.

“We have an average state by European standards. We are in the very center of Europe and we value this,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the transit significance of Belarus, which, with its transportation infrastructure in the region, turned out to be in great demand for transshipment of certain goods. This, however, creates additional risks as well. "Speaking at the Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting in Minsk, I said that the west need to value Belarus and do not impose sanctions against us. Drugs, banditry, nuclear elements, and illegal migration, everything goes to the West through us. We stop it all at our own expense,” the head of state said.

“Today, they have finally understood how valuable this piece of land in the center of Europe is. Americans also understand this today,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

As for the Belarusian foreign policy, the president stressed: “One should get on well with the neighbors.” Here, he mentioned the recent talks about an American military base in Poland. “I told the minister of foreign affairs that we are not going to fight against you. There is no need in additional bases. Otherwise, we and the Russians will have to respond. We will have to set up bases in a counter-move,” said the head of state.