Contender for the presidency of Belarus, former head of the HTP administration Valery Tsepkalo stated that sees no need of the geopolitical choice for the Republic between Russia and the West, however, as the country first official visit in case of victory in elections he called the Russian.
"No. I think we should use all the opportunities that exist in the world, we all countries should be a great relationship," said Tsepkalo in an interview with RIA Novosti, answering a question about the presence of Belarus geopolitical choice between Russia and the West.
According to him, "with some (countries – ed.) as with Russia, they (relationship – ed.) more close, friendly, trusting, it’s just determined by our geography and destiny".
"But to develop the relationship necessary with all countries. In the modern world should not be relations of the type "either-or" that is been friends with someone against someone. This is wrong, the world globaliseerumise, countries are interdependent, the relationship must be built on the principle "and" – said the President.
The politician believes that Belarus as a small country can "make a huge leap in economic terms, to liberate people and get quickly good results in the economy and the social sphere". But, he continued, she "needed to open up to the world, to begin to observe investors ‘ rights, private property rights, make an independent judicial system, perhaps even involving the first foreign experts for arbitration".
Tsepkalo stressed that the country must preserve the multi-vector foreign policy, but "with emphasis on relations with Russia and the EU because of geography, trade, economic and cultural relations". However, he noted that in the case of his presidency, would choose Russia as the country for first official visit. "This is the traditional, historical partner, closest neighbour and friend. We are bound by many, related to personal contacts, culture. We use in everyday language. Yes, of course, we have our own national, Belarusian language, which we also need to develop, but Russian language is our common heritage. For us Russia is a gigantic market," the source said.
However, he continued, "ought to be restored and relations with the countries of Western Europe, EU, USA". "actually, there are prepared the legal basis for this, which does not contradict our obligations with Russia. These agreements were at the time, "paused" as a reaction to the situation in Belarus, and they need to revive" – said Tsepkalo. He stressed that "relations with centers of power and economic power, as the EU and USA, d��should be as non-confrontational, friendly, mutually beneficial and, first and foremost, meets our national interests".
Presidential elections are scheduled in Belarus on 9 August. After the end of the stage of collecting signatures seven people, including Tsepkalo, continue to participate in the election campaign.
