Lukashenko calls for greater integration in CSTO

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, at a meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CSTO member states on June 20, stated the need for greater integration within the organization, a BELTA correspondent reports. The head of state mentioned the work of integration associations in the post-Soviet space and gave a number of positive examples. Thus, at the last meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Moscow, issues of convergence of integration processes, creation of alternative payment systems, and development of transport infrastructure were discussed. In the same vein, a decision was made to launch a mechanism for joint financing of projects in the field of industrial cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Commission. According to the President, this is a crucial step towards strengthening economic and trade and industrial sovereignty.

"In the CIS, we have the broadest spectrum of interaction - from humanitarian issues to interregional and cross-border cooperation, interparliamentary ties," Alexander Lukashenko continued. "In turn, the CSTO, as a guarantor of stability and security for our countries and the Eurasian region as a whole, cannot lag behind."

The President considers the close ties of the CSTO countries in the political, military, economic, social, and other spheres to be a guarantee of lasting peace between them and the basis of their unity in the international arena. "It is difficult to say today what the world order will be like. However, it is obvious that only those who maintain cohesion will be able to pass through this difficult stage with the least shocks. That is precisely why we are increasingly talking about the need for greater integration within our organization," the Belarusian leader emphasized.

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