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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has voiced concerns over the effectiveness of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), calling on his counterparts to return to the bloc's original integration ideals. He emphasized the need to prioritize joint production projects to prevent the union from becoming merely a series of routine meetings.

Concerns Over Industrial Cooperation

Speaking at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, Lukashenko expressed apprehension about the gradual isolation of EAEU member states, replacing industrial cooperation. He recalled that when the union was established, the focus was on attracting joint investments, a stark contrast to the current situation.

"Now everyone has closed themselves off, so much so that not even a mouse can get through. How can we talk about a united union?" Lukashenko questioned, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

Need for Revitalized Industrial Policy

The Belarusian leader described the current state of industrial policy as "weak" and requiring correction. He noted that while mechanisms to stimulate cooperation have been introduced, their scope and impact remain limited.

"We are struggling to find worthy union projects. Moreover, we are creating duplicate production facilities and then trying to protect them from each other," he lamented.

Reviving the Union's Core Mission

Lukashenko believes the EAEU must recommit to its founding goals and ideas to improve its operational efficiency. "We must take decisive steps in the near future to implement the core ideas we set out within the Eurasian Economic Union. I say with confidence: we need to make our union effective. To do this, we must review our work and abandon things that hinder our progress. If we don't, we will simply turn into 'just another meeting' and engage only in talk," he stated.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting is currently underway in Astana. Previously, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the key future priorities for the EAEU.

Source: ulysmedia.kz