Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen,
This is the first time this year that we are meeting through the EurAsEC Interstate Council. It is very gratifying that we are moving sequentially along the integration path towards a stronger Customs Union and Common Economic Space. I am happy to welcome new Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich to this meeting and congratulate him on his appointment. It is my pleasure to give the floor to Mr Karim Massimov. Please.
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Massimov: First of all, I would like to thank our Belarusian partners for the warm welcome and for organising this important meeting. In the past two years, we worked hard to draft legislation for two critical integration platforms – the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. I believe that the agreements we reached and the results we accomplished in the Customs Union's first year have only confirmed the effectiveness of this integration alliance. Trade between our countries has begun to grow faster recently, which is a very good signal for our nations.
We will need to further synchronise our macroeconomic policies to adjust to global economic trends and the imminent consequences of the tragic developments in Japan, North Africa and the Middle East. We will be able to respond effectively to any challenges we may face if we take advantage of the benefits of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. I'd like to thank you again and wish us all prolific work. Thank you, Mr Putin.
Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich: Thank you, Mr Putin. I am confident that the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space we are creating will soon become a global centre of economic power, attractive for other states. The agreements that we have signed and the documents that we have ratified and that will soon come into force will form a legal framework for our integration, making our alliance even more attractive for its prospective members. We have a clear strategy and we see the benefits that further integration will bring. I believe that the issues we will discuss today are of critical importance for our future joint strategy. Thank you.