European experts: “Nobody keeps contacts with Lukashenka”

The Kremlin finally realized that cooperation with rouge states may turn out badly.

German Bertelsmann Foundation’s expert Cornelius Ochmann told this in an interview to Deutsche Welle.

– How does the European Union consider Belarus’s cooperation with Iran, Syria, and Venezuela?

– Belarus has the countries in its list of partners that support terrorist organizations, as the world community thinks. The European Union minimizes contacts with such states. The cooperation of the Belarusian authorities with Iran and Syria undoubtedly has a negative impact on Minsk’s image in the EU.

Such cooperation may have only negative consequences for Belarus in long term prospects. Neither Iran nor Syria is able to buy Belarusian products on large scales. They also cannot supply the country with all the goods it needs.

It’s unclear why Belarus allowed registration two banks with Iranian capital on its territory when Iranian banks have been put on the world’s black list. This decision will only harm the reputation of the Belarusian banking system.

– The Belarusian authorities explain such close ties by an intention to maintain the balance in foreign policy. How does this reflect the reality?

– These statements of the Belarusian authorities pursue only propaganda aims. Nobody in the European Union keeps contacts with Alyaksandr Lukashenka, but it is important for the president to demonstrate his country the world regards him as a politician.

In my opinion, the authorities want to show Moscow that Belarus is able to develop economy by establishing relations with other partners. However, cooperation with problem states will have a negative impact on Minsk-Moscow relations.

– You suppose that Russia is not interested in possible deals between Belarus and ‘problem’ states (weapons sales are much spoken about), don’t you?

– Even if Russia is involved in any deals with rouge states, it does it illegally. Moscow has recently joined the UN Security Council's resolution imposing sanctions against Iran. Though Russia criticized proposals by the EU and USA to put strong restrictions against Iran, the Kremlin finally realized that cooperation with rouge states may turn out badly.