MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that it is still possible to create a common humanitarian and economic zone stretching from Lisbon to Russia’s Far Eastern city of Vladivostok.
"Is it possible to create a common humanitarian, economic zone and even a [common] security region for all those who inhabit this great continent, stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok? Certainly, it is," the president told a plenary session of the Valdai International Discussion club on Thursday.
"Certainly, we need to create a common zone in every sense, from Lisbon to Vladivostok, but it can be done only together with those who have a voice," Putin added.
The Russian leader reiterated that the idea was initially put forward by former French leaders, who suggested creating a common zone stretching to the Urals, and he reformed the proposal to include Siberia and the Far East as well, because "people living to the east of the Urals have the same mindset."
"Of course, difficult, hard and tragic events are taking place now. But, generally speaking, why not? It looks plausible. It seems to me that this will eventually happen, in this or that form. In my speech, I was referring to Eurasia as a whole, including this European part," Putin added.