MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) – It is important to achieve a synergy effect from the establishment of the common market of the EAEU member states, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he addressed the 6th Belarusian People's Congress on 11 February, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus is interested in creating a fully functional economic union within the framework of the EAEU. We should admit that we have not strayed far from the general global tendencies, when everybody are focused on themselves and are fighting over duties, standards, and excise taxes. We should step up efforts to develop the EAEU. It is crucial that we achieve a meaningful and synergy effect from creating the common market of the member states. Then the EAEU will become more attractive for other partners not only from the post-Soviet space,” the Belarusian president believes. This was the aim of the Belarusian presidency in the EAEU in 2020. “We will continue promoting this agenda in the future,” he stressed.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus is in favor of searching for new regional formats, including for promoting the concept of ‘integration of integrations and a greater Eurasian partnership'. “These initiatives should be enhanced by aligning the EAEU and the Chinese Belt and Road project. Advancing cooperation with key economic unions and national economies of Eurasia is as important,” the president noted.
As for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, that it remains an important regional organization despite certain difficulties. “Of course, Ukraine's withdrawal dealt a heavy blow, but we hope that Ukraine will return. Belarus' top priority in the CIS remains the same: developing the CIS as a mechanism for highly beneficial economic cooperation. Belarus will work towards this goal during its presidency in the CIS in 2021,” the head of state stressed.
