Putin: Integration of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan irreversible

• 11.04.2012, 14:22

The integration processes involving Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are irreversible.

This opinion was expressed by Russian PM Vladimir Putin on April 11 during his report to the State Duma on work the of the Russian government in 2011, RIA Novosti reports.

Vladimir Putin thinks the creation of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan is the most important geopolitical position in the post-Soviet region since the collapse of the Soviet Union. According to him, the integration on the Eurasian space is Russia's main priority helping to strengthen country's position in the international arena.

The Russian PM turned attention removing borders barriers within the Common Economic Space in 2011 allowed to increase mutual turnover between the three countries by 37% and by 13% in the first two months of 2012.

Vladimir Putin expressed a hope the launch of the Eurasian Economic Space scheduled for 2015 would encourage other countries interested in a deeper cooperation to join Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

“The the idea of a new integration in the Eurasian region is getting more and more attractive. The reality of life and 20 years' experience put everything in their places. It became obvious one cannot cope alone with today's challenges of the global turbulence. It is no accident the relations between the CIS partners have acquired more common sense and interest in collective work,” the Russian PM said.