MINSK, June 09./ITAR-TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pins hopes on the Eurasian Economic Union of former Soviet states, he told Serbian media on Monday.

“It has aroused vast interest at the forming stage,” Lukashenko said. “And I think it’s right since a new centre of power is emerging. Perhaps it is an extra factor in world multi-polarity.”

Certain countries were showing colossal interest as the three states of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan worked through the early stage of this agreement, he said.

“I am not speaking about China as we are having talks with it and are also co-operating,” the Belarusian president said. “Today, India and Vietnam have voiced their interest along with other countries and you (Serbs) can see yourselves there, too,” he added, expressing confidence that “Ukraine is sure not to escape co-operation with the union.”

But the union should “demonstrate normal prospects from the economic point of view and show everyone that it is a really viable organisation” so that other countries would express willingness to join it, Lukashenko said.