Belarus, China's only ally in Europe: Lukashenko

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Ahead of an official state visit to Beijing which is scheduled on February 28 to March 2, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that his country was the only one in Europe with whom China maintains positive diplomatic relations. 

"Let's admit it: Belarus is the only place in the center of Europe that maintains a friendly — or I could say brotherly — attitude toward China," the Belarusian leader told Chinese media in an interview aired Monday.

The Belarusian head of State added that relations between the two countries will remain as such for decades to come and will potentially outlast his presidency. 

"This will always be true. Not only while I am president of Belarus. Other presidents will stick to this position because it has been internalized by our people," he said.

Alexander Lukashenko will make a state visit to China on February 28, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Saturday.

LUKASHENKO: "China has become great. This is Xi Jinping's greatest merit. He did not reject the ideas of Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, he took all the best, and on the basis of this best he introduced something new... a powerful foundation for the… https://t.co/o3SmaLpuEK pic.twitter.com/JipLPP5Ckz

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) February 27, 2023

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In September 2022, the two countries adopted a comprehensive strategic partnership that elevated bilateral ties and was widely appreciated in Minsk as it balanced against Western-led sanctions that were unfairly imposed on the country.

Lukashenko said Chinese businesses are welcome in Belarus and that China's "One Belt One Road" connectivity initiative could be harmonized with the Eurasian Economic Union's supply chains to streamline trade between the two markets.

"We would win a lot here from both logistics and direct trade as well as from exchanging advanced technologies… We have recently discussed ways to deepen cooperation with the Chinese at the summits of CIS and EAEU leaders, primarily as part of the 'One Belt One Road' concept," he said.

"I have the warmest, kindest memories from my first visit to #China," #Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told Xinhua in an exclusive interview ahead of his visit to China. https://t.co/zRo3TjIEws #GLpic.twitter.com/RkFTQL1CyZ

— Mission of China to the EU (@ChinaEUMission) February 27, 2023

Lukashenko accused the US of fueling a divide between China and Europe, noting that Washington has abused of the human rights rhetoric in efforts to trigger a civil war in China. 

He suggested that China could "balance out" the US and assist with the creation of a multipolar world order.

Read more: Belarus responds to Poland's closing of border checkpoint