Belarus President attends session of EurAsEC Interstate Council 19 March

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in the session of the Interstate Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (Supreme Eurasian Economic Council) in Moscow on 19 March.

The summit was attended by EurAsEC heads of state (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) and leaders of observing countries Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine.

The presidents discussed further cooperation of the EurAsEC member states in the context of the formation and development of the Singe Economic Space of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Top on the agenda was the draft agreement to reorganize the EurAsEC into a new integration association. A relevant decision was made at the previous EurAsEC summit on 19 December 2011.

However, the session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council proved that the issue needs further discussion. According to Belarus' Vice Premier Sergei Rumas, Belarus was prepared to sign the agreement, but the initiative was not supported by other EurAsEC members. The heads of state instructed the governments jointly with the Collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission to work out new proposals within two months. Following the session the parties signed the resolution of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on the preparation of the agreement to reorganize the Eurasian Economic Community.

The presidents also focused on the launch of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the unification of passport and visa control procedures in the Customs Union. Following the meeting they signed relevant documents, namely the resolution of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on the launch of the Eurasian Economic Commission, etc.

The working visit of the Belarusian head of state to the Russian Federation will continue on 20 March.