Uladzimir Makei: We should develop relations with EU and USA

Uladzimir Makei gave a small interview to ONT between meetings at the Conference. His statements covered the crisis in Ukraine and Belarus’ geopolitical orientation.

“Something needs to be done... Unlike the USA, Europe thinks that arms supplies may lead to the further escalation to the conflict in East Ukraine,” Uladzimir Makei said.

Official Minsk has made a number of suggestions to Moscow and Kiev about the ways to settle the conflict, the Belarusian Foreign Minister said.

Uladzimir Makei also commented on possible changes in Belarus-Europe relations. The European Union’s attitude to official Minsk is changing, he believes: “There are no dramatic changes in our relations now… But Europeans have begun to understand the shades of relations with Minsk better… We will be activating our dialogue with the European Union and the USA. There are number of positive displays.”

Belarus is considering the possibility of participation in the next summit of the Eastern Partnership but wants equal terms of participation, Uladzimir Makei noted. It is not clear who will represent Belarus at the summit, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said. President Alyaksandr Lukashenka will decide it.

Uladzimir Makei commented on the loud statements made by head of Belarus’ diplomatic mission in Washington Pavel Shydlouski. There will be no reorientation but we should expect some diversification of our relations with the West, Uladzimir Makei said.

“There will be no reorientation… But we have to admit that we used to focus on the East more. Our work needs to be diversified now,” Uladzimir Makei claimed.

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