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Makey: Eurasian Economic Union is very important to Belarus

The Eurasian Economic Union is very important for Belarus because small countries like Belarus and Cuba cannot survive on their own in this rapidly changing world, Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makey said in an interview earlier this week with Cuba's state news agency Prensa Latina.

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"Regional blocs are expanding around the world as more and more countries are joining them," Mr. Makey said. "Regional blocs account for three-fourth of international trade, and therefore Belarus and Cuba, as states that do not have large strategic reserves of mineral resources, have to participate in integration processes. After weighing all the pros and cons, we firmly decided to participate in the Eurasian Economic Union."

The Belarusian economy is an export-oriented one because up to 80 percent of Belarusian-made goods are exported, Mr. Makey noted. Belarus' participation in the Eurasian Economic Union will make it possible for the country to export goods to an area with a population of 170 million, whereas the population of Belarus is only 10 million, he said.

"The most important thing is that we will have a common economic zone with uniform economic rules in a few years, and therefore this union is definitely beneficial," he said. "But this does not mean that we will solely focus on cooperation within this union."

According to Mr. Makey, Belarus plans to diversify its economy to be on the safe side in case there is a crisis in one region or another. "We are very actively developing our trade and economic relations with countries in Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia and Asia in general, as well as with countries in the Middle East. We export our goods there and get products from those countries. We are expanding our diplomatic presence in those regions as well."

The goal is to find ways of cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and regional alliances and organizations on various continents, Mr. Makey noted. "We will not shut ourselves off from our partners," he said. "We will actively develop ties with all states where we are welcomed as a trade and economic partner."