MINSK. March 12 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he saw major prospects in developing bilateral ties with Serbia in all areas if the two countries show political will.
"Yes, there was a pause in our relations but we did work in economy, trade and today we have certain result. Today there is political will to continue what has been started, we don't have to make a fresh start and if political will is shown, we will definitely succeed," Lukashenko said on Tuesday at a meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, who is on an official visit to Belarus.
Lukashenko said that Belarus and Serbia would build their relations not against someone, but in the interests of the two countries and its nations. "Belarus is ready to go as far as is acceptable and desirable to Serbia," the Belarusian president said.
"We and you and the rest of the world have even more problems, but we are to solve these problems together," Lukashenko said.
The Belarusian president said that "today we have a visitor who us close to us in spirit, a representative of a country we always treat with great love."
In return, the Serbian president thanked Belarus for "the principled stance Belarus has on Kosovo and Metohija." "We value very highly the support of friends to defend our statehood and dignity," Nikolic said.
The Serbian president said that the two countries did have a pause in their relations. "It was temporary, nothing can stop the relations between our countries and nations," he said. "We've realized our mistake and will do everything in our power to eliminate it. We consider Belarus to be our most important friend," Nikolic said.