Opinions & Interviews

Makei: Relations with Russia, China are number one priority for Belarus

MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – Relations with the strategic ally Russia, and the strategic partner China, and all the EAEU, CIS, CSTO member states and the entire post-Soviet space in general are number one priority for Belarus at the current stage, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview to Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus has recently found itself on a geopolitical break, at the intersection of external interests of several geopolitical players. The domestic political situation has also added to the overall problems. In the end, as we can see, Belarus has been in the center of European attention and world attention in the last couple of months,” said the minister.

Last week's government meeting hosted by President Aleksandr Lukashenko was prompted by the need to analyze what is happening around Belarus, what steps should be taken, who seeks to work with Belarus in the current situation and how.

“You know, back in August, after the presidential election, some tried to immediately speak negatively about the policy the Belarusian leadership pursued over the past few years, saying that the multi-pronged policy was a wrong choice, and so on,” Vladimir Makei said.

He said that all states seek to pursue a multipronged policy, be it Russia, the United States, great powers, and even more so such small and medium-sized states as Belarus.

“Therefore, Belarus should in no way be accused of pursuing a multipronged policy. This is the survival of Belarus as a state. At the recent government session the head of state said that the principle of a multipronged approach would be preserved. I would like to confirm it,” the minister said.

He also stressed: “Everyone needs to understand: there are areas that are more important and there are those which are less important. We intend and will strive to develop our relations with all the states, be it East, West, North or South.”

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