Minsk - Belarus said Monday's decision by the European Union to maintain existing sanctions against the former Soviet republic in force until October 31, 2013, "is objectively not in the interest of either side."

"Today's decision by the EU Council effectively freezes our relations at a level that is objectively not in the interest of either side," Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Savinykh said in a statement posted on the ministry's Web site.

"The Belarusian side will not succumb to pressure. We do not see this policy on the part of the EU as compatible with good-neighborly relations. The two sides can overcome their current differences only by moving toward each other," Savinykh said.

"We call upon the European Union to stop thinking in terms of sanctions and make efforts to restore an atmosphere of mutual confidence," he said. "The Belarusian side declares that it is a matter of principle to be open to a constructive and respectful dialogue with the EU, and that it is ready for joint work to that end."