Belarus has never pursued selfish interests, developing the Customs Union and integrating into the Union State - A. Lukashenko /updated/

July 22, Minsk / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. Belarus has never pursued selfish interests by developing the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan and pursuing integration, including in the Union State. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Customs Union Commission Sergey Glazyev, BELTA correspondent reports. According to the head of state, the Belarusian side is not to blame for the fact that "not everything, to put it mildly, is working out in our Union of Belarus and Russia." "We do not have and have not had the resources to slow down the Union of Belarus and Russia. It was created in general to set an example, but it is turning out the opposite. Therefore, if there is an opportunity to advance in some other integration formations, Belarus will never hinder this," Alexander Lukashenko said. At the same time, the President noted that the Belarusian side will proceed, including from its national interests, while other states put only national interests at the forefront. "When they openly begin to demonstrate to us that we are on the reserve bench, we do not agree with this approach and, as much as possible, so as not to slow down these processes, we are fighting this," the Belarusian leader noted. "If we see that this is absolutely unacceptable for us, we will look for other ways." Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the Belarusian side absolutely does not intend to slow down the processes that have begun, but, strictly observing the agreements reached, will demand the same from its partners. Commenting on the previously heard rhetoric that if Belarus does not join the Customs Union, "then we will bend you here," Alexander Lukashenko said: "How can you bend us if we have gone too far with Russia in this regard and there are relevant agreements. How can you build a border between Belarus and Russia? Then all the agreements we have must be denounced." In conclusion, the head of state once again noted that to date, the Customs Union has not brought Belarus huge benefits, nor has it caused harm. "We are working to make things better, being in a state of expectation," the Belarusian leader added. In turn, Sergey Glazyev informed the head of the Belarusian state about the process of forming the Customs Union. According to him, in the future, a significant effect from this integration association can be expected. Thus, it is expected that within five years, GDP growth in the Customs Union will be about 15%. At the same time, enterprises involved in industrial cooperation will receive particular benefit, according to him. "Of course, the transition period is not without its rough edges, but overall the process has entered a firm track," Sergey Glazyev noted. -0-