Belarus eager to normalize relations with West

       
        Belarus will strive to normalize relations with the West, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said.
        The head of state remarked that the next year will be crucial for Belarus in many respects. In particular, the Eurasian Economic Union will become a reality. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus cannot surrender its own interests as far as the union is concerned.
Speaking about cooperation with the West, the President remarked:
       (record)
        “We border on the West and want no clashes — either political or diplomatic ones. Half of our trade is over there. Let’s continue working in this direction. Yet we must not allow any pressure on us. If the West offers cooperation to us, we should grab the opportunity.
We will strive to normalize relations with the West. If they are willing to cooperate with us on equal terms and let us know it, we will accept this signal. We have always said: let’s negotiate and come to terms”.