Belarus urges CIS countries to strengthen unity through economic cooperation

The countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States need to move from general statements to practical steps to strengthen unity. The economy should play a key role in this, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State in Turkmenistan, the press service of the Belarusian leader reports.

According to the Head of State, regular meetings of leaders are important, but they should be accompanied by decisions that directly affect the well-being of people and strengthen the capabilities of the Commonwealth countries.

“It’s good that we meet, it’s good that we talked, looked at each other, made a statement. For an internal audience, this is useful to know. But let us take other steps in the field of closer unity, Alexander Lukashenko said.

“Unity will be provided primarily by the economy”

The President stressed that a strong economy should become the basis for sustainable cooperation and independence of states.

“Unity will be provided primarily by the economy. This is the prosperity, this is the power of our states. Then there will be less talk about independence, preserving borders and so on. We need to strengthen the economy. And in this regard, we need to work seriously. We are ready to participate in this in every possible way, the Belarusian leader said.

Lukashenko noted that the agenda of joint work should include more initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of citizens and developing the economies of the CIS countries.

“Look at the decisions we make today. What's missing here? What is lacking is the development of what we often say – the well-being of our peoples, our states and so on. Where is it on this subpoena? And so from year to year, the President noted.

CIS countries have resources for joint development

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the CIS now includes nine states, among which there are large countries with serious resources and opportunities for joint work.

The President called Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan possible locomotives of economic development within the Commonwealth. At the same time, he stressed the significant role of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and other members of the association.

"Well, we can! Why are there no initiatives that would preserve the unity of our nine states.

Lukashenko noted that the CIS countries remain united, although it remains fragile.

“Thank God, we remain united. It is fragile, but we preserve it, the Belarusian leader summed up.

Photo: President's website