MINSK, 8 May (BelTA) – Belarus and the West should settle their differences through a dialogue instead of sanctions and prohibitions, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in his address to the nation and the parliament on 8 May. “Yes, we have different views on some aspects of the society but we should overcome these differences via a dialogue instead of sanctions and prohibitions. The policy of sanctions is a mistake primarily because it is useless and lacks results,” believes the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko stressed Belarus feels no animosity towards either the European Union or the USA. “Because we primarily see things that unite us and we look into the future,” he added. The President confirmed the European Union is a most important vector for Belarus. “Economically and politically Belarus and the European Union are important partners. The European Union is No. 1 partner for us as far as export is concerned and No. 2 partner after Russia as far as the overall trade turnover is concerned,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “One hundred million tonnes of cargoes transported by railroad, by road, by air via Belarus from the East to the West and backwards, 70% of Russian oil and a third of natural gas pumped to Europe via Belarus… All these things strongly connect us with Europe, in center of which we are,” remarked the President. He added that other important areas of cooperation must not be forgotten such as prevention of illegal migration, drugs trafficking, contraband, including illegal turnover of nuclear and radioactive materials and armaments, maintenance of safe borders.

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