Lukashenko invites Russia, Kazakhstan to decide on SES parliament first

16:35, 17 October 2012

MINSK. October 17. KAZINFORM Russia and Kazakhstan should be the first ones to decide on creating the parliamentary dimension in the Single Economic Space of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan and the future Eurasian Economic Union.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement at the press conference held for representatives of Russian regional mass media on 16 October, BelTA has learned.

Speaking about prospects of creating the parliamentary dimension in the Eurasian economic integration, Alexander Lukashenko remarked: "We don't interfere with the process and don't say anything. We let the giants [Kazakhstan and Russia] decide first whether we will have a parliament or not". The President added that certain hindrances had been in the way of the Union State development before. "Together with [Russia President Boris] Yeltsin and his team we were overcoming the difficulties. We were making arrangements with young Putin, during his first arrival however hard it may be. Now the Eurasian Economic Union should go through all that", BelTA reports.

"Once Kazakhstan agrees, we will not be able to avoid it," said Alexander Lukashenko as he dwelled on the parliamentary dimension in the Eurasian economic integration. He added it would be a difficult process. The Belarusian head of state underlined that in addition to taking into account interests of the sides the process should involve the sides meeting each other half way: "Russia should meet us and Kazakhstan half way".