Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – The development of integration should represent advancement in removing any barriers on the way of comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement at the restricted attendance session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on 24 October, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said that unfortunately despite the work that had been done so far the number of restrictions and provisos has not been reduced. In some areas the number has even increased.

“We cannot productively move forward without fulfilling our previous arrangements, without reaching pragmatic or, if you wish, practical goals of integration that we have stated repeatedly,” stressed the Belarus President.

The Belarusian head of state remarked that preparing the draft treaty on setting up the Eurasian Economic Union was the key item on the agenda of the session. “The success of our new integration association and its appeal to other countries will depend on what treaty we will create,” said Alexander Lukashenko. In his opinion, it will directly influence the development of mutual relations between countries of the huge region.

The Belarus President believes it is symbolical that the most important integration decisions are made in Minsk. The practical operation of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia began with the adoption of the Customs Code and the unified customs tariffs in Minsk in November 2009.

“Of course, every partner has its own vision of the future. It is normal. However, we have to find the solutions that will suit everyone. We believe it is possible,” said the Belarusian leader.

“Just like Nursultan Abishevich [Nazarbayev] suggested, we should not quarrel about the disputable issues that we certainly have. We should instruct specialists, governments to promptly work out acceptable solutions, maybe, on the basis of compromises to avoid breaking our agreement concerning further advancement,” said the Belarus President.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that before the session started, the three heads of state had discussed virtually the entire agenda. “We touched upon a lot of matters, which are subject to discussion at the restricted attendance session and at the expanded attendance session,” he said.

The Belarus President invited his colleagues to speak their minds about topical integration aspects.