Republic

MOSCOW, 18 November (BelTA) – Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan are building the Single Economic Space (SES), because it will benefit them all, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko told reporters in Moscow on 18 November, BelTA has learnt. “Plenty of ideas emerged on the post-Soviet space since the USSR collapsed. However, everyone was saying that nothing will happen until Russia moves from statements and declarations about integration to practical action,” Alexander Lukashenko said emphasizing Russia’s role in the establishment of the SES. The Belarusian head of state underlined that the relations of the three countries are now different from what they used to be; they can even be called inter-budgetary taking into consideration huge revenues from customs duties levied on the external border that are distributed among the participants of the alliance. “This is very important, as it involves the economy of our countries, and this might come to trillions of dollars,” the Belarusian leader said. Talking about the Declaration of the Eurasian Economic Integration, Alexander Lukashenko noted that this document focuses on medium-term or even long-term cooperation. “We have spelled out our plans and targets there. The document is concise, it includes clauses about foreign currency and economic cooperation,” the head of state said. In his words, there are people in the three countries who condemn the integration within the framework of the SES. “There are still some attempts to frustrate the process. It is clear who orchestrates the whole thing, but we have left it behind that made it clear that we are not losing sovereignty; no one is forcing anyone anywhere. I think that Russia should not apologize so hard for causing inconveniences. We are doing it because it will benefit all the three states. Alexander Lukashenko agreed with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev that the Customs Union and the SES are attractive projects because other countries are wishing to join it. “But we have agreed that we will elaborate a certain roadmap for them. If you meet certain criteria, you will be able to join. But there will be no joining just because someone wants to. This is the economy, this is big money, not just unsubstantiated statements,” said the Belarusian head of state. As noted by Alexander Lukashenko, by 2015, the parties intend to codify international treaties that make up the legal framework of the Customs Union and the SES, and will create the basis for the Eurasian Union. “We will decide on the name of our economic community. I think this will be the Eurasian Union. We should not be shy as we are lagging behind in this issue. We are surrounded by unions. The EU does not call itself the European Economic Union and does not apologize. They have a powerful political and military instrument to rely on. We still look around, afraid of saying that we seek the closest cooperation. But we are discussing this. And everybody who still think that we just talk things through and everything will remain as it was should know about this,” Alexander Lukashenko said. The President of Belarus expressed his belief that by creating a new economic and political center of power in Eurasia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia are moving in the right direction. “The success of the SES is important not only for our states, but also for our immediate neighbors. It will become a significant factor for all the major international centers,” the Belarusian head of state said. “Profound and productive integration with close neighbors has always been a natural way of development for us,” Alexander Lukashenko said. Speaking about the Eurasian Economic Commission Treaty that has been signed today, the President noted it would make a major regulating supranational body in the Customs Union and the SES. In his words, numerous debates have taken place on a possibility of a supranational body on the post-Soviet territory. “We have managed to do it. We are probably the first in the history to set up an efficient supranational body,” the Belarusian leader said. According to him, the Eurasian Economic Commission Treaty envisages mechanisms of securing equality among the signatories to the agreement. “No discrimination here. Any issue can be brought to the presidential level, and we will take a decision by consensus,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “The main thing is that we address the problems we have faced for a long time,” the Belarusian leader added.

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