Belarus expects the European Union to take into account the interests of its business in considering the imposition of economic sanctions on Belarus, Alexander Guryanov, a Belarusian deputy foreign minister, said at a press conference in Minsk on March 13.
"We hope that business interests will play a key role," Guryanov said.
Belarus regrets any economic restrictions, Guryanov said. "Interests of particular business people not only in Belarus but also in EU countries would be harmed. We prefer economic levers not to interfere with measures that are taken at the political level," he said.
Trade turnover between Belarus and the EU amounted to $25 billion in 2011, with Belarusian exports exceeding imports, Guryanov said. Belarus had a trade surplus of about $7 billion in its trade with the EU, and the EU’s share in Belarus’ exports increased to 39% in 2011 from 30% in 2010, he said.
