MINSK, 10 April (BelTA) – The Eurasian Economic Union may grow larger in the future if countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States join it. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement in an interview with the Interstate TV and Radio Company Mir, BelTA has learned.
The conversation touched upon the potential of such integration associations as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
“The EAEU is a higher form of organization of our union endeavors. The CIS is smaller [and does not provide a high degree of integration],” the head of state noted. He admitted that these structures suffer from certain contradictions, but in light of recent events and the sanctions that have been enforced against Belarus and Russia some countries that do not belong to the Eurasian Economic Union (for instance, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan) have been taking a closer look at the union and adjusting positions. “There are some minor things that we need to address (and we try to do it) in order to bring these republics into the Eurasian Economic Union,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
If it happens at some point in the future and the post-Soviet republics join the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS will no longer have to exist. “I think the CIS will disappear on its own because all the republics will advance to a higher level and will become part of the EAEU,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president did not rule out the possibility that Ukraine and Georgia may join the Eurasian Economic Union in the future. “Ukrainians have tried joining NATO and the European Union. Once sensible people [rise to power in Ukraine], they will not push our union away. I think ”
Contemplating the fate of Georgia in this context, the president mentioned that the possibility of restoring the country’s territorial integrity has been recently mentioned by the Georgian prime minister. “Look what happened. I read [in mass media] that they do not rule out the possible restoration of ‘territorial integrity’. Today they sell not only wines on our market but other products of theirs that they haven’t been able to sell anywhere. They didn’t sell either in the European Union or in America because there are plenty of local products over there. Where did they come to? They came to us, to Russia,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
“This is the road Ukraine will travel as well,” he added. “Do we need this difficult road? We don’t. Our experience indicates that there are simpler ways that Ukraine may use to return to us.”
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