Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko explains direction of Belarus’ foreign policy vector

MINSK, 2 July (BelTA) – Belarus’ foreign policy vector is not a turn, not a U-turn, but a persistent choice of civilizations. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during a solemn assembly held in the Palace of the Republic on 2 July in anticipation of Independence Day, BelTA has learned.

The head of state stressed that Belarus had managed to build an economy with a significant durability margin, this is why it is impossible to manipulate the country. Threatening Belarus with a prohibition against selling and servicing machines and equipment is futile as well, Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. After all, Belarusian enterprises make a lot on their own starting with harvesters and laptops and ending with cars and electrobuses. “Well, if we don’t have some capabilities for now, the West is not the only vendor. We have friends in other parts of the world, too,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. It is in the east that a creative agenda is evolving right now: an economic agenda, an international agenda in addition to a world outlook. The sun rises in the east in the literal sense and in the figurative sense, the Belarusian leader noted.

“Our foreign policy vector is not a turn, not a U-turn as experts and some politicians like to reflect on. It is a persistent choice of civilizations made by our ancestors and made by us,” the head of state stated.

In his words, Belarus steadily maintains an active and constructive stance in integration associations in the post-Soviet space: in the Eurasian Economic Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Belarus persistently works in these bodies and expands cooperation.

Belarus will become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization very soon. Accession to this organization is a matter of days, the president said. All the intrastate procedures have been finished.

Belarus has filed an official application for joining the BRICS format as a participant. The country is also busy advancing cooperation in various fields with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

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