Lukashenko: Kyrgyzstan needs to do a lot to join SES

Media representatives asked the President to comment on whether the weak economy of Kyrgyzstan could create problems for other participants if the country joins the customs troika. "Recently Kazakhstan has supported Kyrgyzstan in its effort to join the Customs Union. I voiced such opinion recently too. But we told them right away: when you go all the way towards the SES (ratify an array of instruments and make them laws), then we will consider it and take a decision whether you can or cannot become member," the Belarusian leader said.

The willingness of Kyrgyzstan to join the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space should be encouraged, according to Alexander Lukashenko. "But whether you can become a member of the future Eurasian Economic Union is a big question. Kyrgyzstan needs to do a lot to become a member of the SES," the head of state said, BelTa reports.

When asked about the analogy with the integration of the European Union where the integration of the strong economies with weak ones has created financial and economic problems, Alexander Lukashenko said that such situation is not yet possible in the SES. One of the reasons is the absence of a single currency. "We do no have this so far. So we have nothing to fear. But a weak economy affects a stronger one, creates problems for other states. Therefore, when taking this decision (possible future accession of Kyrgyzstan - note by BelTA), we will take this into account. But it is not tomorrow's problem."