MINSK, 26 June (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined contours of a new version of the Eurasian Economic Union as he spoke at the plenary session of the Eurasian Economic Forum “Strategy of Eurasian Economic Integration: Results and Prospects” in Minsk on 26 June, BelTA has learned.
“When the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed, the year 2025 was defined as a kind of horizon, beyond which a new stage in the history of association would begin. And today we can present individual elements of the EAEU 2.0. Amid global turbulence, it is important to be proactive when dealing with situations, to influence the global agenda in a positive way, to have effective patterns for responding to external challenges,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
According to the president, in order not to get lost in the oversaturated global market, the EAEU 2.0 must have its own signature product that should be noticeable, popular and truly common to all the member countries. “This is a basic condition for taking and maintaining positions on the world stage,” the Belarusian leader noted.
At the beginning of the year, after assuming chairmanship in the organization, Belarus urged the member states to collaborate in areas crucial for staying competitive on the global market. These are electric transport, microelectronics, robotics, information and communication technologies, and new materials.
“Work on joint projects has begun, decisions have been made, and considerable funds have been allocated for these purposes from the EAEU budget. We must not compete with each other in traditional industries, but together take the lead in new industries, the ones that we have not probably considered yet. There is no escaping it. By combining the potentials of our economies, we are able to create a unique Eurasian product - from airplanes and trains to digital solutions and artificial intelligence. We have already learned to do some things in these areas,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
On space-level technologies in all sectors
In the EAEU 2.0, it is necessary not only to combine potentials, but also to rationally distribute efforts and resources. “It is obvious that every country needs [access to] space, but not every country has a cosmodrome. The same can be said about other industries in the EAEU,” the Belarusian leader noted.
According to him, instead of competing and creating overlapping capacities, it is necessary to focus on converging national economies, integrating existing flagships into production chains in order to create a common product offering for the EAEU market and third countries.
On joint scientific activities
A breakthrough also requires combining scientific, engineering and financial potential. Aleksandr Lukashenko is sure that creation of joint research and innovation centers to develop new technologies and products is a great idea.
“By integrating science and manufacturing, with a focus on exports, we can achieve both technological independence and a strong competitive position in the global market,” the president emphasized.
On reserves in the services sector
Aleksandr Lukashenko went on saying that the services sector generates half of the total GDP of the EAEU. “There is significant potential for further expansion and development within this sector. Joint efforts to establish modern transport corridors across national segments, ultimately integrating a broader Greater Eurasia, can produce immediate economic returns,” the Belarusian leader said.
On a global transit hub
According to the Belarusian head of state, a belt of good neighborliness has been created in the south and east of the EAEU. Aleksandr Lukashenko proposed to connect it with a network of roads, railways, transport and logistics hubs.
“Integrated Eurasian transport and logistics corridors should become smart, multimodal, eco-friendly arteries with a single digital administration platform,” the president said. “Reducing the time and cost of transit through Eurasia will increase the competitiveness of the route compared to the sea routes. It will help position the EAEU as a global transit hub.”
Aleksnadr Lukashenko suggested studying this initiative together with observer countries and within the framework of the EAEU-SCO interaction.
On financial integration
Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that financial integration, particularly within the services sector, acts as another catalyst for economic growth. “In the EAEU 2.0, investments must cross borders, creating new opportunities. It is necessary to complete the formation of a common financial market as soon as possible: sign and ratify agreements on a standardized license in the banking and insurance sectors, as well as agreements on mutual admission of financial market participants,” he said.
On digitalization
According to the president, the focus on digitalization is inevitable in the EAEU 2.0. “The creation of a single digital platform for business, the development of e-commerce, the use of big data - these are the areas that will make our economies more efficient,” the president said.
“We need to drop slogans calling to preserve the national digital sovereignty inside the union. On the contrary, it is necessary to converge the software platforms we use and enable the transboundary exchange of information from national databases and registries, recognize digital signatures and digital documents,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
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