Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – The three Customs Union member states welcome the accession of new members. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement after the expanded attendance session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk on 24 October.

The Belarusian head of state remarked that exhaustive and honest answers regarding the Customs Union, the Single Economic Space, and the future Eurasian Economic Union had been given to potential Customs Union member states. “We welcomed their desire to become part of the Customs Union,” said the Belarusian leader.

“We have discussed matters concerning the troika’s future cooperation with Armenia, which said it is willing to be part of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space, and with Ukraine, which is willing to sign an agreement on association with the European Union,” noted the Belarus President. “These are very important matters that will greatly affect the development of trade and economic relations in the entire region”.

The Belarusian head of state underlined that a large number of questions had focused on the development of the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty. “The colleagues and I agreed on what specific instructions will be given to the governments of our countries for the sake of finishing the draft treaty,” said the Belarusian leader. “The discussion was tense but we’ve resolved all the issues concerning the treaty, we’ve come with a common opinion and have made the relevant decision”.

Apart from that, the session tabled matters concerning the model law on competition, the procedure for transporting narcotic psychotropic substances in the Customs Union, the execution of the Eurasian Economic Commission budget, and several other topics.

“The decisions that have been made demonstrate the unwavering intention of the Customs Union and Single Economic Space member states to further enhance integration processes in a consistent manner,” noted the Belarus President.