Opinion: Lukashenko always been locomotive of integration processes in post-Soviet space

At the CSTO Collective Security Council session in Yerevan in late November, President Aleksandr Lukashenko named Belarus’ priorities. The country – which will chair the organisation in 2023 – will focus on an increase in the cohesion of the CSTO members. As noted by Vadim Gigin, the Chairman of the Board of the Republican Znanie Belarusian Society, the Head of State remains faithful to the policy aimed at maintaining friendly ties with post-Soviet countries.

In Yerevan, Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted the importance of reducing the level of tension and resolving contradictions between the CSTO countries in order to strengthen the organisation itself, and to ensure security and stability in its area of responsibility.

“Let's put it bluntly: Aleksandr Lukashenko has always been a locomotive of integration processes since his election in 1994,” Mr. Gigin said in his talk with Alfa Radio. “Who held a referendum on integration with Russia in 1995? That was Lukashenko. Who initiated an agreement on the formation of the Russia-Belarus union 1996? Who signed that agreement on the union of Belarus and Russia a year later? Who opposed the nationalist opposition, which even then began to act with the support of the Americans against the President and all of us under anti-Russian slogans? Who signed the Union State Treaty, and against whom sanctions were imposed precisely for the reason that integration was developing? That was Lukashenko!”

The expert concluded, “Our President remains committed to his views, values and beliefs, which are aimed at preserving fraternal friendly ties between the former Soviet republics.”