MINSK - Belarus-EU normalization depends on the European Union, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makey said in an interview with the Russian newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda. The interview was published on the Belarusian Foreign Ministry website.
“We are confident that the key to solving the current situation is in the EU hands. In contrast to the EU, we do not intervene in the internal affairs of our neighbors. The EU is responsible for the loss of confidence in the dialogue. Hence, it should make amends,” he said.
The minister admitted that the political relationship “fell short of the real needs of Belarus and the EU.”
“The reason is that the EU wishes to determine the socioeconomic development parameters of our country. Naturally, it does not intend to bear responsibility for possible consequences. We do not accept such interference in our internal affairs and, naturally, defend our sovereign right to independent determination of our development path,” the minister said.
Belarus is ready to “reciprocate if Brussels (the EU) is prepared for equal and respectful relations by deed rather than by word,” he remarked.
“That would be good for all of Europe. But we do not think the EU understands that need so far,” he said.
The minister recalled that the European Union broadened sanctions against Belarusian officials and companies in 2011: there are 243 citizens and 32 companies of Belarus on the blacklist now.
At the same time, Belarus-EU relations develop rather well on the corporate level, Makey said. Trade grew 22.3% year-on-year and stood at $21.4 billion in January-September 2012. Belarusian exports to the EU amounted to $14.9 billion, and imports were at $6.5 billion.
“Our trade and economic cooperation with the European Union is mutually beneficial, and the lifting of existent political barriers would have spurred it even more,” Makey said.
“Old thinking dominates the EU attitude to Belarus so far,” he stated.
