News & Events in Belarus
Integration associations in post-Soviet space open for new members
MINSK, 6 September (BelTA) – Integration associations on the post-Soviet space, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), are open for new members, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with the TASS news agency for the documentary dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the CIS and the TV program Formula of Power on 6 September, BelTA has learned.
The interview focused on the integration in the post-Soviet space and the development of the integration associations. “The CIS is a big political and diplomatic platform for discussing global issues and shaping guidelines for the future,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.
“We have formed the Eurasian Economic Union,” the President said. “It is about economy, economic integration, and customs issues, without politics and military aspects. The EEU is an economic union.”
The CSTO is a military-political union, the Belarusian leader continued. “No, it is not like the NATO bloc, it does not have such power and strength. It is a different organization with certain tasks. Let’s assume that Belarus and Russia in the Western direction are a single army, a single union. This is the scope of the CSTO,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
“The Union State is the most advanced integration association,” the President is convinced. “It involves economy, politics. There are even fledgling regulatory bodies. It is a very deep form of integration.”
“If someone is ready to join the CIS, join the Eurasian Economic Union, welcome on board. Those in the EEU or the CIS who are interested in deeper integration can join us in the Union State. All unions are open, if you are ready,” the Belarusian leader said.
In his words, the existing system of multi-level integration satisfies all parties at the moment. “The main thing is that this association matches the current state of relations between the post-Soviet countries,” the President of Belarus concluded.
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