Lukashenko Outlines Number of Issues for EAEU to Focus On

At an expanded meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called on the statesto focus on the most pressing issues for unification.

During his speech at the Summit, Alexander Lukashenko noted that he wanted to focus on several aspects of the work, which, based on the urgency of the current moment, should be given special attention.

Functioning of the internal market of the EAEU

"In terms of the tariff war and reformatting of international trade, it is necessary to carefully look at whether the conditions of competition in the union are distorted for our producers due to foreign tariff experiments. To see, perhaps, we are supporting businesses from third countries with our ruble to the detriment of own entrepreneurs and companies," said Alexander Lukashenko.

He asked the Eurasian Economic Commission to assess the risks for the economies of member states with proposals for specific joint actions. "This issue is becoming increasingly relevant. We must protect our internal markets the way others do. Without neglecting their interests," the Belarusian leader said.

Development of the industrial potential of the EAEU

"The volume of the EAEU's domestic market of the manufacturing industry has exceeded $1 trillion. This is a good figure, but what is behind it? Last year, we launched a mechanism to support industrial cooperation and allocated funds. But, unfortunately, there are no results yet," the President stated. The head of state recalled that in January, two projects worth $17 million were finally approved - the production of railroad switches and combine harvester cabins. "It's even ridiculous to name these projects. More decisive steps are needed to create advanced production, especially in areas dominated by Western corporations: pharmaceuticals, aircraft, shipbuilding, automotive industry, microelectronics," the Belarusian leader is convinced.

Food security

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that no country can exist without food security. According to him, this year an alarming situation has emerged in the EAEU countries, when in order to stabilize prices for certain goods, the market has to be opened for imports. However, the President believes that indicative planning is not enough to eliminate the problem.

"By the way, regarding those goods that we can produce in abundance at home and sell all over the world. The commission needs to think about options for a systemic solution so as not to engage in fuss and emergencies, providing people with vegetables, apples, butter, sugar, meat products," the head of state noted.

The head of state added that the list of EAEU tasks can be continued. Thus, a result is needed in matters of digital development - the same notorious electronic signature should finally work. We need to be more actively engaged in the topic of a common exchange space. Dot "i's "in certain issues in the field of technical regulation.

"At the same time, such detailing at the level of state leaders should not replace the proactive work of our economic commission. Much was said about this today: about efficiency, about the staffing schedule, about the salaries of the EEC members. And a decision was made on these issues. In this regard, the litmus test will be the high-quality preparation by the commission of a roadmap for the implementation of the declaration "Eurasian Economic Path", or, as we call it, the EAEU 2.0. Also, the indicative factor will be a worthy completion of work on the Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025. Particular attention was paid to this. We have identified one and a half dozen out of three hundred (tasks - editor's note), which we must definitely solve by the end of the year. We have received such an assurance from the commission," Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President expects that a detailed report by the Chairman of the Board of the EEC will be presented at the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council at the end of this year.

"Belarus is determined to make every effort to promote the ideas of Eurasian economic integration," the head of state summed up.