SEEC leaders decided on issue of granting Cuba observer status in  EAEU, and the time and place of the next meeting

ArmInfo.The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union will hold additional consultations with Cuba before granting the latter the status of an observer state in the case of its joining.  This decision was made today at a meeting of  the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC), which took place in a  video conference format.

As Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian  Economic Commission, said at the meeting, Cuba has shown a great  interest in cooperation with the EAEU almost from the moment the  association was created. Since 2018, the Cuban government has been  cooperating with the EE Con the basis of a memorandum of  understanding.  The issue of granting observer status to the country  has already been discussed by the commission twice.

"Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia agree to grant Cuba observer status.  Kazakhstan favored further consultations with the Cuban side. Russia  also suggested holding consultations to clarify all aspects," Mikhail  Myasnikovich said, BelTA informs.

During the summit, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Russia explained  their positions. According to the President of Kazakhstan, Havana  does not yet have a complete understanding of the status and rights  of the observer state at the EAEU. In addition, he believes, it is  necessary in general to develop criteria for observer status so that  countries do not have the illusion that with their receipt they can  claim all the privileges and benefits in the EAEU. "It is necessary  to clearly outline the rights and obligations, as in all  international organizations," added Kassym-Jomart Tokaev.

Vladimir Putin noted that Russia generally supports the Cuban  application, but wants to understand the expectations of Cuban  friends from obtaining observer status at the EAEU.

During the meeting, the proposal on the date of the next meeting of  the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council was also considered.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has proposed a regular  meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk in  October-November in Minsk. 

The meeting participants agreed with the proposal of the head of the  Belarusian state. The specific date of the event will be determined  later.