Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 15 August (BelTA) – Benefits of integration in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) can be offset by non-compliance with the negotiated agreements, Belarus’ First Deputy Prime Minister Vasily Matyushevsky said at the conference “Eurasian Economic Union: Development Strategy” on 15 August, BelTA has learned.

According to Vasily Matyushevsky, deeper economic integration is careful and well-weighed choice of Belarus. At the same time, integration is not a goal in itself. “Unfortunately, objective benefits of integration for the country, business and people can be nullified by non-observance or revision of the agreements that were reached. In this case, the parties that strictly observe the rules find themselves in a very disadvantageous position,” he noted.

The multitude of integration formats on the Eurasian space also has its impact on the situation. As a result, the countries have to look for solutions that would effectively reconcile different formats and prevent confrontation.

The rise of the Eurasian Economic Union took place in difficult circumstances; the states had to respond to a number of challenges and take anti-crisis strategies and temporary measures justifying them by exceptional circumstances. At the same time, it should be carefully analyzed whether these temporary restrictions should remain in place.

“We need to evaluate the situation squarely and look for adequate answers to burning questions: can we at last go back to the declared goals and tasks of the union in a comprehensive format and implement full freedoms declared by the union; or do we have to admit that the difficulties are insurmountable and to scale back our ambitions and lower the bar of our expectations from the integration,” Vasily Matyushevsky asked.

He noted that Belarus had always been optimistic about the integration and set the highest bar for itself. “If our partners share our aspirations, the Belarusian chairmanship in the EAEU bodies in 2020 can give a significant impetus to the formation of a full-fledged union,” he said.