MINSK, 10 August (BelTA) – Deeper integration between Belarus and Russia is the imperative of the time, Editor-in-Chief of the Eurasia.Expert website Vyacheslav Sutyrin told BelTA. The expert took part in the Big Conversation with the President, a meeting with the public, experts and media community in the format of a big press conference in Minsk on 9 August, BelTA has learned.
“For an expert like me it was interesting to hear Aleksandr Lukashenko's assessments of the situation inside Belarus, especially in relation to the constitutional reform in the country, as well as his take on the situation around Belarus, because tensions are growing, and these tensions are serious. These are the sanctions of the European Union, and the West as a whole against the Republic of Belarus, and sectoral sanctions that are now being expanded,” he said.
“It is interesting to feel this atmosphere, to communicate with fellow experts, to understand how they see the situation,” the editor-in-chief said.
“One gets a feeling that deeper integration of Belarus and Russia is prompted by ongoing developments. This is not only about the economic situation, including sanctions. Deeper integration can pave the way for closer cooperation in the future, because without integration there will be no resources for long-term economic growth,” the expert said.
Vyacheslav Sutyrin added: “It is always nice to come to Belarus, a hospitable country, with a very similar cultural and historical background. Belarus and Russia are united, therefore our common agenda is very busy.”
