Development of the Union State Sped Up Progress towards the CES

Such a statement was made by Alexander Lukashenko during his first press conference on the results of presidential elections in Belarus.

Such a statement was made by Alexander Lukashenko during his first press conference on the results of presidential elections in Belarus.

According to him, “if we could join Kazakhstan to the Union State, and it reached the level that we have attained together with Russia within the Union State, we would have long been way ahead. But it did not happen. We have created a Customs Union. Thanks to the Union State, this so-called “project”, we were able to make such a quick progress towards common economic space (CES). Relevant documents are being actively ratified at present,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

He also added that “I, of course, defend our Union State not only as ex-officio Chairman of the Supreme State Council, but also as a person who is committed to friendship with a Russian person, a citizen of Russia. I am speaking in support of and I will be defending and advocating this, as it is improperly named, “project”.

Alexander Lukashenko also stated that he “has never been an enemy of Russia, as they are making me out to be. You know why they are portraying me like that in Russia. Do not believe it. It is my life. It was me who initiated the referendum on the Union of Belarus and Russia. Our people expressed their opinion, and about the same percentage as now supports me, then voted for the Union. It is a strategic task for me. And I will fulfill it. I will stand it if I have to, I will bear the rough well so that we wouldn’t part from our Russians. We are one nation”.

“Relations with Russia should a priori be better than with any other state. We have managed to get away from the point of abnormal relations with the Russian governing body. I repeat, it will not be worse,” he stressed.