Lukashenko calls for using Union State solutions to reinforce CIS integration

<p> MINSK, Oct 15 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has suggested draw on the best practices of the Union State of Belarus and Russia for reinforcing integration with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Lukashenko made a statement to this effect at a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, which was held by teleconference on 15 October. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Lukashenko said: “In the current conditions, the Union State of Belarus and Russia can serve as a locomotive of integration processes and share its best practices with the EEU and the CIS. I would like to draw your attention to the multi-tier integration that is developing in the post-Soviet space.” </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, the key achievements of the CIS include the preservation of close human contacts, trust-based political relations, multifaceted economic ties with an eye to further integration. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “Amidst the global instability, cooperation of mutually complementary economies of the CIS states is of key importance. We should understand that we are not welcome in any other markets. Markets have long been divided. Therefore, we hope to God to retain our positions on our own markets. This is the way to go. The CIS countries need to unite efforts to protect their interests on the world market,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> He emphasized that the CIS countries need to intensify mutual trade and investment and minimize artificial barriers. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was founded by Russia, Belarus and Ukraine in December 1991. The CIS members are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia. Turkmenistan has been granted associate member status. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Treaty on the Union State of Belarus and Russia was signed on 8 December 1999. Previously, the Community of Belarus and Russia was created in 1992, and the Union of Belarus and Russia in 1997. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Presidents of Belarus and Russia Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, at a meeting in Moscow on 9 September 2021, reconciled all 28 union programmes to deepen integration between the two countries. On 10 Sep 2021 the Council of Ministers of the Union State approved the 2021-2023 guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State and 28 Union State programmes aimed to accomplish major aspects of strengthening Russia-Belarus integration. According to Lukashenko, the union programmes are to be approved at the meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State on 4 November 2021. End </p>

2021-10-16

Primepress