President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated at a meeting with representatives of leading analytical centers in the USA on December 14, that Belarus is a reliable partner for the United States. Thus, Belarusian President mentioned the fight against international crime and terrorism, as well as illicit drug and human trafficking, among the common interests of both countries.
In addition, according to the Belarusian leader, Belarus, as well as the U.S., is interested in ensuring regional security and nuclear nonproliferation. «We realize: the United States — a powerful empire with global interests and power. And, as many of you believe, the place of Belarus in these interests’ system is on the periphery,» Alexander Lukashenko said, stressing that both Belarus and the U.S. are interested in their mutual cooperation.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus is now in a unique position, including geopolitics. «That’s true. Belarus today is a kind of independence island, and we are trying to maintain this policy of independence, sovereignty, equal approach to all centers of power, but we want to survive as a country. This is perhaps it’s the first time in history when we’ve had such a unique opportunity. We do not have global interests, like America, Russia, China, India and various associations. We just want to ensure the normal life of our people. We want to eventually become a real sovereign independent state,» President of Belarus said.
Lukashenko Offered the U.S. to Maintain Information Cooperation
During the meeting the Belarusian leader also offered to establish a permanent mechanism for bilateral exchange and cooperation between Belarus and the United States. According to the President, it would allow parties to avoid a number of problems and misunderstandings.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the policy of official Washington towards a certain country is formed in many respects out of the estimates and predictions of leading analysts. It is for this reason that the Belarusian leader stands for the development, including information and contacts between the two nations, the Presidential Administration said.
Communicating with leading American analysts, Alexander Lukashenko expressed regret that their meeting had not taken place earlier. «I am confident that there would have been fewer problems and unclear points in the Belarusian-American relations, or none of them at all. I hope our contacts will continue, but your first visit to Belarus won’t be the last,» the head of state stressed.
The President noted that the Belarusian side would like to see leading U.S. analysts watch the situation in Belarus with their own eyes in a normal working environment. Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that American experts will see after a careful consideration that Belarus and the U.S. have many common interests and priorities.
«We understand the importance of direct dialogue, without unnecessary intermediaries, without transmitters. One is unable to form a coherent objective stance on any issue, relying on reports of biased journalists or so-called independent «experts,» the Belarusian leader said.
Equal Approach Needs Moving into Action, American Expert
In turn, the director of the «New European democracy,» senior researcher in Europe Program Center for Strategic and International Studies Janusz Bugajski said that the purpose of the U.S. analysts’ visit is to get a fuller picture of Belarus and its development, as well as identifying ways and directions to improve relations between Belarus and the United States.
«We want to see the ways of putting equal approach in practice. Partnership, but not domination; cooperation, but not subordination — the real basis for equitable cooperation of Belarus with any country, not only with the United States. This is what we would like to help make real,» Janusz Bugajski said.
