MINSK, 27 October (BelTA) – The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the European Union have many points of contact for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Shestakov said at the international conference Pan-European Integration Processes: Towards a Mutual Vision through Cross-Border Synergies on 27 October, BelTA has learned.
Yevgeny Shestakov noted that Belarus is especially interested in bridging the gap between the two unions as it is located on the border between them. “Our county can and should play a role in these integration processes. We believe that the ‘integration of integrations' concept should materialize into specific, beneficial areas of contact and interaction between the EEU and the EU. Such points of contact are manifold,” the diplomat said.
He believes that the unions can develop ties in economy, energy, environment, transport and logistics, combat against illegal migration and cross-border crime, and many other areas. “We already cooperate successfully with the European Union in many of these fields. However, we prefer not to hype this. It is through such points of contact that we intend to converge, step by step, the two largest integration entities, develop a critical mass of positive mutual trust, the lack of which is felt most acutely at the current stage,” Yevgeny Shestakov stressed.
The diplomat emphasized that the ‘integration of integrations' concept carries great potential gains and chances for the entire continent. It will contribute to peaceful and sustainable development of countries, prevent new division lines, preserve the European identity, boost the competitiveness of the region, and promote the settlement of long-lasting conflicts.
However, Yevgeny Shestakov noted that the integration aspirations come up against confrontation and disengagement. “This contradiction can be explained by the fact that we are witnessing another shift, time again over the past decades, in the global paradigm. Still, we cannot consider this explanation exhaustive. Today's agenda is overloaded with geopolitical confrontation: Brexit, the migration crisis and security, incessant discussions of the anti-Russian sanctions, the situation in Ukraine and Syria,” the diplomat said.
Yevgeny Shestakov pointed out that there are no ready-made solutions to the current political and economic issues on the European continent. “Still, it is the present-day geopolitical situation that shows us the only way out which is to abandon the logic of escalation in favor of a dialogue, mutual respect and search for compromise,” he said.
