Belarusian President Calls For New Foreign Policy
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka (official website)
Lukashenka made the remarks during his annual address to Belarus' legislature.
"Maintaining our country's independence and stable development is possible only by pursuing a dynamic, multifaceted foreign policy," Lukashenka told the parliament. "Belarus is involved actively in international trade and bilateral relations with many countries, and that has a direct impact on the condition of our domestic markets and the social and economic spheres."
Belarus' traditionally close relations with Moscow have cooled since Russia raised energy prices earlier this year.
Lukashenka said Russia continues to be one of Belarus' "most important priorities." But he criticized what he called "openly unfriendly actions" from Moscow, saying they have "dealt a painful blow to our relations."
Lukashenka said Belarus planned to seek alternative energy supplies from Venezuela, Iran, and Azerbaijan. He also said Belarus wanted to develop stronger ties with Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and China.
He told the legislature said Minsk would go ahead with plans to build a nuclear power plant to increase energy independence.
Lukashenka also said that while Belarus wants "normal and mutually advantageous relations" with the United States and the European Union, Minsk would "not beg the EU or the U.S. for anything."
(with material from agency reports)