Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – Belarus should become one of the hubs of a new Silk Road project in Eurasia, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during his annual State of the Nation Address on 21 April, BelTA has learned.

According to the head of state, the world economy is going though fundamental transformations. Alongside huge social and economic challenges and imbalances, we see new global cooperation projects emerge such as the Silk Road Economic Belt. “Belarus cannot stay aside from these processes. We should become one of the hubs of the Silk Road in the Eurasian region. We must make the maximum use of the incentives that China offers while promoting this initiative,” the Belarusian leader said.

“A distinctive feature of the project (however much it is criticized and hindered by the United States and especially the European Union) is mutual benefits. China is investing enormous funds in the states that will take part of the Silk Road. Wise Chinese have made the right conclusion from the current situation. They are not pushing their idea, paving the way to new markets with the help of force, cruising missiles. They are supporting the nations who will be promoting the Silk Road,” the president said.

“Belarus is a country open to all geopolitical and economic ‘winds’ and everything which is taking place around us seriously affects the development of our state. We cannot and must not isolate ourselves from the world. A big part of products we make is bound for export. We have to keep our doors open whether we want it or not. By the way, it is not in the nature of friendly and hospitable Belarusians to build dividing walls. We follow other principles. Cooperation and creation are the foundation of our policy,” the Belarusian leader said.