21 March 2012
Heavy-handed scenario cannot resolve Belarus-EU dispute
MINSK, 21 March (BelTA) – Differences between Belarus and the European Union can be settled if the heavy-handed approach is abandoned, said Andrei Savinykh, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, when asked about prospects of resolving the conflict between Belarus and the European Union. The official underlined: “Mutually acceptable resolution of existing differences is the only way out. It would meet interests of Belarus and the European Union. How it can be done is the key question. It is totally obvious that the first steps can be made only via reduced intensity of the confrontation”. Andrei Savinykh said: “The practice of expanding sanctions on the European Union part should be dropped. It doesn’t matter whether sanctions are effective or not. It is important the practice rules out the possibility of rational rapprochement of views. When one side is vigorously taking power steps, it is impossible for the other side to put efforts into de-escalation of the tension. The return of the ambassadors is not possible either. The rejection of the heavy-handed approach can drastically change the situation. It would create prerequisites for resolving the entire range of issues”. “Frankly speaking, it is the only way. Belarus adheres to this way. Whatever the European Union’s choice may be, time will tell. I can say that we are ready for any scenarios while we are in favor of resolving the dispute,” said the Head of the Information Office of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.БЕЛТА