Alexander Lukashenko's domestic policies have come under severe criticism from the West, with Washington dubbing him "Europe's last dictator" and both the U.S. and the EU banning him from entering their territories.
"Our strategic line in regard to cooperation with the European Union and the United States is clear - without any intention of joining the EU, we offer a mutually beneficial partnership with a strong neighbor. We offer the United States the same cooperation within our spheres of common interest," the Belarusian leader said.
"People say that Belarus has, allegedly, the wrong values. If we are talking about respect for states, their independence and sovereignty, their rights to choose their futures, about the right to life and free labor, these are our values." The U.S. and the EU do not have a monopoly on these rights, he added. "Our nation paid a far greater price for these values than the U.S. and the EU."
As well being blacklisted by the U.S. and the 25 EU member states along with 30 senior diplomats following presidential elections in March that international observers called flawed, the EU also decided in May to freeze the authoritarian leader's accounts.
Lukashenko called on Belarusian diplomats to work on the promotion and protection of the country's image abroad, and warned them against negative steps given the high level of international pressure on Belarus.
Lukashenko added that the formation of a favorable image for Belarus would benefit the country's economic development.
"Every German or Pole should know that [natural] gas came to their country via Belarus," he said.
In June the Belarusian leader said his country would make "two or three steps" to meet the EU halfway if the union made at least one step.
