Opinions & Interviews

MOSCOW, 15 November (BelTA-TASS) – Russia and Belarus are in favor of establishing steady contacts between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU). The statement was made by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov after meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei on 15 November, BelTA has learned.

Sergei Lavrov said: “We’ve talked about cooperation within the framework of various integration structures, primarily regarding the Eurasian Economic Union where Russia will preside next year. We’ve agreed to continue using foreign policy as an instrument to advance Eurasian integration and bolster the EAEU’s ties with foreign partners.”

Sergei Lavrov also said that a considerable potential of EAEU-EU cooperation had been mentioned during the talks. “Unfortunately, the potential remains unclaimed for now. We still believe it is necessary to establish steady contacts between the two integration associations for the sake of forming space of peace, stability, and broad cooperation relying on the principle of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia, our common continent,” said the Russian minister of foreign affairs.