Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 October (BelTA) – The Commonwealth of Independent States would welcome the return of Georgia into the CIS. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement after the session of the CIS Heads of State Council on 25 October, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that several years ago Georgia seceded from the Commonwealth of Independent States. “It seems there were certain internal incentives for that step back then. But life goes on. We still live next to each other and will do so,” noted the Belarusian head of state.

“I can sincerely state and it is not only my opinion that we would like Georgia to return into the Commonwealth,” stressed the Belarusian leader. “I think Georgia will hear this message,” he added.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that he had talked about it before Belarus’ presidency in the CIS and in his words the year had not been in vain.

According to the Belarus President, there are many people in Georgia, including in the leadership, who would like to have a platform to discuss not only politics but also economic matters.

“I think that in order to switch from words to deeds we should not look for the things that disunite us. We should seek what unites us and we will reap relevant benefits from doing so. In the end everyone will appreciate it, including our people in the Commonwealth and people in Georgia,” stressed the Belarus President.

“I would like us to keep remembering that our Commonwealth is a living being and any living being needs to develop,” added the Belarusian leader.