Belarus Won't Quarrel With Russia to Improve Relations With Europe

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 7:59 PM

(Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English) tracking

MINSK. Sept 30 (Interfax) -Belarus is interested in developing relations with Europe, but will not agree to a worsening of its relations with Russia to improve its relations with the EU, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

"It will be a huge mistake for Europe if it demands an improvement of relations at the expense of [Belarusian] relations with Russia," Lukashenko said during a meeting with OSCE Special Coordinator for Belarus elections Anne-Marie Lizin in Minsk on Tuesday.

"I do not think bad relations between Belarus and Russia would benefit Europe, because Europe is hoping to improve its relations with Russia," said Lukashenko.