Belarussian president to give in to the West
Belarus is raising the iron curtain
This was reported at a press conference in Minsk by Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Alexander Minkhevich. It seems that this statement was released on the approval of Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. Well, this is not the first time for such a thing to happen. It has been noticed that Lukashenko’s friendship with the West grows stronger only when there is tension in political relations between Russia and Belarus.
Foreign ministers of Belarus and Portugal Mikhail Khvostov and Antonio Martins da Cruz agreed to hold “serious talks” in Vienna. These talks are to take place very soon, and they will be devoted to issues of further cooperation with the OSCE (Portugal currently chairs the OSCE).
Alexander Minkhevich emphasized that the talks between Belarus and Portugal will begin without any delay. The Belarussian foreign minister also advised that a higher level of talks might follow. Minkhevich added that the OSCE secretary general is also likely to participate in the talks.
No matter what Minkhevich says that there is one thing clear about the whole issue. Belarus stands for the development of economic links with the European Union. One may come to the conclusion that Belarus is gradually raising its iron curtain. Belarussian exports to countries of the European Union jumped by over 60% during the last seven months.
Two billion dollars of Belarussian commodity circulation fall in the European Union. Yet, Alexander Minkhevich noticed that Belarus basically exports half-finished products due to the political restrictions of the EU. The official added that there are no objective reasons for these restrictions.
As a matter of fact, Belarus is considered to be one of the most “high-tech” republics on the territory of the former Soviet Union. The Belarussian foreign minister stated that Belarus had already started talks with other countries about joining the European Union.
On the photo: Alexander Lukashenko
Andrey Mikhailov PRAVDA.Ru Minsk
Translated by Dmitry Sudakov
Related links: PRAVDA.Ru US terrorism in Belarus PRAVDA.Ru Belarus seeking partnership relations with NATO PRAVDA.Ru Belarus adjusts its foreign policy with Russia PRAVDA.Ru President of Belarus to expand military cooperation with China Belarus Leader Blasts Putin Efforts Putin Urges Belarus Leader on Union Washington Post : U.S. Finally Has Answer For Belarus Goaltender China Daily : Jiang kicks off visit to Belarus
Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/09/23/47421.html
