BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/10/2008

President of Belarus: Russia is not active enough in the integration processes within CIS

Dynamics of integration processes within the CIS area depends on Russia's position, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said to reporters on October 20, after his visit of the Yama memorial complex in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Minsk ghetto tragedy.

Russia as a center should assume the role of catalyst in the integration process, he believes. At the same time, Lukashenko criticized Russia: according to him, Russia was not active enough in integration processes. "If Russia does not position itself as a real center, there will be no real integration," the Belarusian leader noted.

"Indeed, it is quite understandable that economic cooperation and removal of all obstacles in relations with the states are expedient for us. What does prevent us from it? It seems to be nothing. In face-to-face interviews everyone says it should be done, but when it comes to any decisions, it turns out that this cooperation is harmful for someone," the Belarusian president noted. "I wonder why states, such as Georgia, leave the CIS so easily? Because practically nothing holds them within the CIS, except for some detached problems like visa and something of the kind. We need to ensure that many keep us in the CIS and the EurAsEC," he added.

Source:

http://www.regnum.ru/english/polit/1072190.html

Google
 


Partners:
Face.by Social Network
Face.by