President: Belarus ready to do anything to bring the relations with the EU back to normal

Belarus is ready to do anything to bring the relations with the EU back to normal, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he received credentials of foreign ambassadors.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus does not have any problems with any of the countries whose ambassadors handed over their credentials on 16 December. The Belarusian head of state emphasized Belarus’ great interest in stabilizing the relations with the EU. “We cannot do without each other. We have to live side-by-side, like neighbors. Belarus has done its best to achieve the rapprochement. We are ready for any steps to normalize our relations,” the Belarusian President said. 

Alexander Lukashenko noted that European businessmen also interested in expanding contacts with Belarus. “I do not want to say that you have the ball on your court now. It is a media cliché. But you really have it on your court,” the President added. 

“We are sincerely interested in promoting good-neighborly relations with the European Union for geographical, historical and cultural reasons. Besides, we also need to respond to regional challenges and threats together,” the Belarusian leader said. He emphasized that fruitful work is possible solely on the basis of equality and mutual respect. “We have too many external threats. Let us think together how we can stand up to them, instead of looking askance at each other. It is neither in your interests nor ours,” Alexander Lukashenko said.