Lukashenka: ‘Strengthening integration in post-Soviet space is inevitable necessity’

On December 18, the leaders of Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan took part in a videoconference session of the CIS Council of Heads of State.

Delivering his speech, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that some post-Soviet countries were going through a ‘real fire’ and made mention of ‘the events in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan’ and ‘Ukraine’s facing issues’.

“Strengthening the integration mechanisms in the post-Soviet space is not a matter of choice but an inevitable necessity. I believe that we can talk about the benefits only when we fully realise the potential of the Commonwealth of Independent States. This will be one of the main priorities of Belarus’ Presidency in the CIS next year, if today we adopt the appropriate decision, which has already been coordinated,” the press service quotes Lukashenka.

According to him, Belarus plans to work to develop the common economic space, promote trade liberalisation, minimise the number of restrictions and exemptions, remove technical barriers, unify the rules and procedures of public procurement, and to develop the common markets of goods and services.

It should be noted that Lukashenka has repeatedly criticised the CIS, its aims and concept. In particular, at the summit in 2017, he commented on the the activities of the intergovernmental organisation in such a way: “If this body does not work, one may want to abandon it.”

belsat.eu, following president.gov.by