Lukashenko decided to repeat Yanukovych’s experience
Against the backdrop of difficulties in relations with Moscow, the Belarusian authorities invited to hold the anniversary forum of the Eastern Partnership in Minsk in May 2019.
This initiative was voiced by the representative of Belarus to the EU, Alexander Mikhnevich.
Let us recall that the Eastern Partnership project, the stated goal of which is to deepen integration ties between the EU and the six republics of the former USSR, concerns Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus.
Mikhnevich clarified that the forum could discuss expanding economic cooperation with the EU. According to the official, Brussels appreciates the foreign policy position of Belarus. “We have maintained good relations with Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. This suggests that we have an independent and balanced foreign policy,” said the representative of the “union” state.
“Experts note that now, when Russia is threatening to reduce the level of support for Belarus, cooperation with the EU is becoming even more important. They explain Minsk's initiatives to develop relations, among other things, by this factor. Let us recall that recently, already at the height of the conflict with Russia, Alexander Lukashenko met with the German Ambassador to Minsk Peter Dettmar. Experts suggest that the initiative also belonged to Minsk. The President of Belarus said that he was ready for many concessions in relations with the EU in general and Germany in particular, but would like to remove barriers to the path of Belarusian goods to the EU. Statistics, meanwhile, confirm that restrictive measures by Russia regarding Belarusian goods have already led to a reduction in Russia’s share in Belarus’ foreign trade. This is especially true for food. For example, the share of powdered milk, the supply of which is limited by Russia, has already fallen to 50%,” Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes today.
Previously, MGIMO teacher, Russian political scientist Elena Ponomareva warned of the threat the Eastern Partnership project poses for Minsk.
“The Eastern Partnership, because of which, in fact, all those events that Lukashenko mentioned began, about the Maidans and the Maidans. It all started with him. This program cannot be called anything other than confrontational and destructive.
What do we see? Alexander Grigorievich says that it is necessary to develop closer relations with this program and look for some constructive projects.
So, this very program is not aimed at creating a rich and prosperous Belarus, but at creating an anti-Russian Belarus, in order to tear it away from a close union with Russia,” the expert said.
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