Lukashenka met with EU Special Representative in Minsk

Belarus stands for an ongoing dialogue with the European Union in the field of human rights, said Aliaksandr Lukashenka on March 9 at the meeting with EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis.

The Belarusian leader expressed satisfaction with the fact that both parties have moved away from a confrontation. Lukashenka expressed hope that the period when the EU and Belarus built between themselves a wall and tried not to even talk through it but communicate phrases had ended. "We welcome the fact that Europe has now seen Belarus, appreciated it, and we can establish a normal trade-economic, investment cooperation," said the head of state. According to Lukashenka, the changes in the economy will entail changes in the humanitarian sphere.

At the same time, the Belarusian leader noted that the Belarusian view on human rights may be different from the European one.

Lukashenka: "I do not criticize Europe for the way it understands human rights. The European Union is a grown-up organization with smart people who are able to articulate what they want, but we have our own understanding of humanitarian issues, including the human rights issues."

According to the Belarusian leader's press service, Stavros Lambrinidis assured Lukashenka that the EU, as well as Belarus, does not consider the issue of human rights apart from the economic issues.