Analyst: Eurasian integration optimal for Belarus

From the economic point of view Eurasian integration is optimal for Belarus, BelTA learned from Yulia Yakusheva, Executive Director of the Russian political analysis center North-South, during the international conference Eurasian Choice: Belarus 2014.

The expert pointed out the positive economic effect that the three Customs Union member states enjoy. After the creation of the Customs Union in 2010 the trade turnover between Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan rose by 40% among all the countries. Belarus-Kazakhstan trade increased by 80% in 2009-2012. According to Yulia Yakusheva, the fact testifies that the Eurasian project is profitable for Belarusian manufacturers and businesses from the pragmatic point of view.

The treaty to create the Eurasian Economic Union was signed by the presidents of the three countries a short while ago. Speaking about the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union, the expert remarked: “We are at the beginning of a long road. Integration moves on and there is clear political will and economic potential for that. We are witnesses of the formation of a new economic center of power,” said Yulia Yakusheva.