Lukashenko calls for further removal of barriers in the EAEU and adoption of the Union State's experience

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko calls for further removal of barriers in the EAEU and adoption of the experience of the Union State. He stated this at a meeting with the Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board Bakytzhan Sagintayev, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

"We are interested, together with Russia, in the EAEU adopting more experience from the Union State - what is acceptable for the EAEU," the head of state said.

He noted that the EAEU, the CIS, and the Union State are different formats of established multi-level integration. And at the lowest level in terms of integration depth is the CIS. "We are interested, and probably you are too, in the CIS orienting itself towards the EAEU. And perhaps also towards working within our allied relations with Russia," the President stated. "But this is the will of the heads of state, governments, and elites of these states. We are not particularly insisting on this process. But, as an option, why not?"

But this, according to Alexander Lukashenko, is not the main point. "The main thing is that there are a number of problems within the economic union itself that require serious work. Economic in nature. We would like, and this must be done during your presidency, since Kazakhstan itself plays a very important role in the union, for us to remove all barriers that unfortunately still exist. We need to agree on energy issues so that states have equal opportunities. We need unified gas and oil markets. We need to create a common market. We cannot escape this. You see how the situation is developing around us, and the circumstances themselves push us towards closer cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union," the Belarusian leader stated. Bakytzhan Sagintayev took office as Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission Board on February 1st, and prior to his work in the EAEС, he held a number of important government posts in Kazakhstan. "You are an experienced person who has come a long way. Our organization is of an economic nature. I know Kazakhstan's principled approach to these issues very well, as I was at the origins of this organization's creation with Nursultan Abishevich (First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. - Ed. BELTA). The current leadership of Kazakhstan is committed to this course - specifically, the economic focus of the Eurasian Economic Union," said the head of state. "I believe that by using your experience and your previous involvement in economic processes, we will be able to achieve a great deal. The main thing is that you initiate, do not remain silent. I believe you will be such a decisive person and will propose what you see as an obstacle to the development of our Eurasian Economic Union." Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the economy is the foundation of strong interstate relations. "If there is an economy, then there will be politics, diplomacy, and we will develop military relations. Therefore, we need to more boldly create joint ventures based on the principles of cooperation and finance them. You can always count on us. Also, frankly state what we need to do. If there is something we absolutely cannot do, we will tell you frankly. But so far, there are no issues that we could bypass and not participate in the development of our union," said the head of state.

Given that the arrival of Bakytzhan Sagintayev coincided with the electoral process in Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the elections to local councils and parliament proceeded calmly. "You know that we have begun a careful renewal of the political system. We see that this needs to be done. The generation of politicians is changing. New people are coming, young people. Therefore, we need to prepare in advance in an evolutionary way. This difficult process has begun," he said. The President emphasized that the current elections are particularly important, as the parliament and local councils, in accordance with the updated Constitution, are the basis for the formation of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. This body in Belarus has acquired constitutional status.

Source: belta.by