On November 16, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. Belarus is firmly determined to continue an intensive dialogue with Russia on resolving issues within the Customs Union. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in an interview with Vladislav Inozemtsev, Editor-in-Chief of the Russian magazine "Svobodnaya Mysl", as reported to BELTA by the press service of the head of state. "We hope that the Customs Union has prospects. We are firmly determined to continue an intensive dialogue with our partners, primarily with Russia, on resolving existing issues. The attractiveness of this union for other states will depend on how successfully we overcome the difficulties of its formation," the President said. "What will come of this? We will live and see," he added. The head of state shared his vision of the future of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Union State of Belarus and Russia, as well as the overall development of Belarus, which serves as a unique bridge between Russia and the European Union. In particular, Alexander Lukashenko believes that the motives of Belarus and Belarusians in building relations with Russia have not changed over the past decade and a half. "From integration, we expect primarily mutual benefit and mutual respect for both fraternal peoples, the sovereignty and national interests of our states. And then you can be sure that you will not find a more reliable partner and devoted friend than Belarus and Belarusians," said the head of state. Speaking about the relations between Belarus and the European Union, the President emphasized that today the EU is one of Belarus's main trading partners, second only to Russia, as well as a source of advanced technologies and standards, and a supplier of high-precision modern equipment. "It is our strategic partner in combating new challenges and threats of our time, which are of a cross-border nature – illegal migration, human trafficking, drug and arms smuggling, international terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," noted the Belarusian leader. "By the grace of God, Belarus is a connecting bridge between the West and the East. Therefore, even due to its geographical location, the multi-vector nature of our foreign policy and the openness of our economy are predetermined," added the President. -0-

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