News & Events in Belarus

DUSHANBE, 28 September (BelTA) – The CIS states should maintain unity and work together while the existing international trade system goes to pieces. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement at the CIS summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 28 September, BelTA has learned.

The head of state underlined that the enhancement of economic cooperation remains an immutable priority of Belarus’ membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Alexander Lukashenko noted that global market relations are rapidly losing all traces of civilized interaction between nations. “We see how the international trade system, which took decades to build, is being unilaterally dismantled due to actions of the West. The use of unlawful mechanisms is becoming a norm and makes our economies vulnerable,” said the Belarusian leader.

“Only together can we successfully stand against the new challenges. On the one hand, we should unite efforts to protect interests on the global market together. On the other hand, we should step up mutual trade and investments and expand manufacturing cooperation. We should respond by consolidating and enhancing the role of the Commonwealth as a regional player,” stated Alexander Lukashenko.

Alexander Lukashenko said he regrets the fact that the CIS lacks a common view and a general plan for further evolution. The theoretical model has not been finalized. A practical strategy for the economic integration of the CIS member states has not been created.

“In a bid to adapt the Commonwealth to modern reality we’ve started revising the CIS future development concept. I suggest instructing the governments to update the economic block of this document,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “It can become the ideological foundation for the more comprehensive use of the R&D and investment potential within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States. It is necessary to combine it with the development of the CIS economic development strategy for the period after 2020.”

According to Alexander Lukashenko, both the concept and the strategy should stipulate common economic growth points. “I believe our Inter-Parliamentary Assembly should also get thoroughly involved in this work,” added the head of state.