“Let us not act, we are being taken away.” Alexander Lukashenko took part in the CIS summit in Avaza

The potential of the CIS is not exhausted, Alexander Lukashenko believes. The President spoke at the summit in Turkmenistan. A common destiny, which should be filled with new meanings, primarily economic, for the benefit of the peoples. The President sees the development of the association in this format.

The Commonwealth of Independent States has come a long way. It was established as a solid regional integration association. This is a unique platform in Eurasia for interaction with its political and legal peculiarities. 35 years have shown that the commitment of the former Soviet republics to cooperation has paid off. Let some countries turn away from this path. But the chosen course continues to follow more than a quarter of a billion people. And the total GDP exceeds $2.5 trillion.

So countries can more effectively use not only human potential, but also production and mineral resources. The largest lake in the CIS and in the world is the Caspian Sea. On its picturesque shore and held a summit. Following the meeting, the leaders of the Commonwealth countries signed a package of documents. They sum up the work and define the tasks. A separate statement was also adopted on preserving the memory of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

White cars and 'black crow' in Avaza

The resort atmosphere is the least configured for the working way. The fact that the leaders of a dozen countries in Avaza says little. The streets here are deserted on ordinary days, but even they are blocked. Turkmenistan does not tolerate fuss at all, and the rules are inviolable. We decided that all cars should be white, so be it. There is an exception to every rule. In this case, it is not a white crow, but a black crow.

It is possible that this is the idea of the host party – to make the business program a little less strict for presidents. For journalists, rigor is even excessive. Alexander Lukashenko will have a one-on-one conversation with the host of the summit before it begins - the meeting will be silent for the press.

Meanwhile, CIS leaders will arrive at the summit in the world’s snow-whitest cars. Jubilee. Strictly speaking, the Commonwealth will turn 35 on Dec. The treaty was signed the same day the Soviet Union collapsed. The composition has changed slightly over the years, but the political backbone has remained the same. And even the Prime Minister of Armenia takes off his hat to the CIS.

Journalists can be woken up in the middle of the night and asked how the CIS summit will go, they will tell on the rolled-out. Short welcoming speech of the host, then - protocol speeches in alphabetical order. But Plan B is always important. Alexander Lukashenko, as a long-time supporter of integration, will allow himself some memories, but only for a few minutes

Divorce tool or solid foundation?

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: Looking back at the past, you remember the difficult conditions in which the CIS was created. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, external forces tried to manipulate the young states without hiding. Unfortunately, this policy continues today. The organization was defamed in every possible way, calling it a “geopolitical phantom” and a “myth.” It was prophesied almost a couple of months of life, even in their thoughts not allowing the possibility of integration of our republics. Opponents are strategically miscalculated. Reality is actually more complicated. CIS for 35 years. However, several countries did use the Commonwealth as a tool for more or less civilized "divorce.".

Georgia withdrew, Moldova almost – this decision the President will call short-sighted – though unpleasant, but not deadly. But if history goes around in circles, can it happen again in the CIS?

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: We are united not only by the desire to create a fair system of global governance and trade on equal terms. Our unity is based on a common history, cultural heritage, human ties. After all, we speak the same language. Unfortunately, young people in some countries do not know Russian, our main language. It is future generations that will have to respond to old and new threats to our unity.”.

Economics instead of toothless declarations

Language is like a bond, but the economy holds the country together most of all. The President is confident that the potential of the CIS has not yet been exhausted. But is it better to draw life with a big spoon?

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: Look at the decisions we are making today. What is lacking is what we often say – the well-being of peoples, where is it on this agenda? So from year to year in the CIS. Yes, we are not 15 republics that were in the USSR, but nine powerful and rich states. Well, we can! But why are there no initiatives that would ultimately preserve the unity of our nine states? There was an association, there... Thank goodness we keep our unity fragile, but we keep it. But we are not waiting anywhere, the world increases competition. This is especially and primarily related to the economy. Let us preserve our space, but in order to preserve it, it is necessary to increase the value of our presence in this organization for each state. Is that what we want every year? Nope. We all need to think about making bigger decisions. Well, it’s good that we’re meeting, talking, looking at each other – it’s good for an internal audience to know that, but let’s take other steps toward closer unity. Our unity will be ensured first and foremost by the economy.”.

The peculiarity of the CIS is that it involves cooperation in all spheres, but the mechanisms are flexible. Countries are ready for integration to varying degrees, and the Commonwealth is normal about it. Everyone can participate in integration processes to the extent that it is in their national interests. Simply put, doing what he likes and not doing the opposite without pressure from other members. Nevertheless, the President has always strived for the greatest possible involvement in integration matters. It was before his eyes that the Union, which had existed for almost seven decades, collapsed

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus: We need to strengthen the economy. It's not a call. We are ready to participate in this in every way. But above all, I see the role of three or four states, the richest, to lead our organization. In any organization, in any team, a group needs leaders. Where are they? We have to move forward. Therefore, economic steps are needed. Yes, it will affect the interests of rich countries a little, but something must be compromised. Are we poorer countries than we can sacrifice? It is necessary to isolate these directions and act. We will not act – we are slowly being dragged into different organizations. Again, I do not say who – we know perfectly well who has his eye on the states of our organization, if I may put it that way. We would like to preserve this space and preserve it. Let's do that.”.

Commonwealth flexible frameworks and hidden barriers

Alexander Lukashenko will apologize, they say, went beyond the protocol, but, admittedly, journalists are waiting for this. Toothless is often the agenda. Although if you look at the scale, trade within the Commonwealth is growing. Russia, the world’s most powerful economy, traded $110 billion with its CIS partners last year and continues to accelerate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin: Can we move faster? Yeah, I guess you can. We need to remove barriers. Sometimes it seems that at the national level and in the nazinteres it is more profitable to maintain these barriers for a period of time. We ourselves deliberately restrain the pace, which, as Alexander Grigorievich said, could be higher.

Perhaps in the closed part of this paid more attention than the press heard. The President of Iran will join the heads of the CIS in a broad format, but journalists will not hear this either. So the Commonwealth in the organization of Turkmenistan was not so friendly. The main thing here is the adoption of a statement on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the CIS. In it, the heads of state call the CIS a unique dialogue platform, believe that flexibility within the association has allowed it to adapt to the realities of the time, and also declare readiness for further interaction and increase efficiency.

Among the other documents to be signed, there are many protocol documents that have been verified in advance, so signing them will be for the most part mechanical work. It is difficult to say whether this summit is a holiday. No one in the Commonwealth questions the need for the existence of the CIS, and this is already a lot. Participants are ready to integrate further. But speed and effort, as we remember, are not regulated in the Commonwealth. This is at the same time its strength – the force of gravity, and, it turns out, the weak point.