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EEU common market mechanisms unadjusted yet — Lukashenko

According to Belarusian leader, it is necessary to pursue the policy of creating a Union without exemptions and restrictions on the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labour
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metzel
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metzel

MINSK, January 15. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that the mechanisms of the common market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) are so far unadjusted.

“Exemptions and limitations in various spheres of activity still exist, impeding the full implementation of the reached agreements,” he told the national parliament members. Lukashenko also said that “egregious cases in which the union member countries take unilateral action bypassing the agreements have been recorded.”

In such circumstances, he said, the Belarusian government must pursue the policy of consistent deepening Eurasian integration, in a tough and proactive manner defending the national interests. “We have to use our competitive advantages, not to miss the potential opportunities and take profitable niches,” Lukashenko said.

According to him, it is necessary at all levels to consistently pursue the policy of creating of an equitable Union, without exemptions and restrictions on the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labour.

Lukashenko said that a common consumer market is being formed in EEU. “This is a transitional process, and it has some costs,” he said, adding that Belarus has already been faced with this issue. The Belarusian president in this connection demanded protection for Belarusians. “The state of the country’s consumer market should be taken under special control,” said Lukashenko.

The Eurasian Economic Union is an economic and political bloc formed in 2014 uniting Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia. The treaty to form EEU went into full effect on January 1, 2015. The population of the union is about 171 million people and its gross domestic product is expected to reach $3 trillion next year.