ArmInfo. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko believes that it is necessary to avoid payments in US dollars when trading hydrocarbons in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). As reported by Kommersant, he also called for accelerating the formation of common energy markets by the EAEU countries. He announced these initiatives during a speech at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.
Mr. Lukashenko said that one of the main tasks for the EAEU is to coordinate measures to maintain exchange rates and the security of countries' payments. "I am sure the time has come for the EAEU to make a serious political decision to de-dollarize the domestic trade in hydrocarbons," the President of Belarus said, urging to switch to payments in national currencies (quoted by TASS). Alexander Lukashenko is sure that it is also necessary to continue simplifying mutual access to the financial markets of the EAEU member states.
In addition, he suggested accelerating the formation of common energy markets in the Union. <Taking advantage of the mutual complementarity of our economies will ensure fast and high-quality economic progress in the Union. To achieve the goals defined by the previously adopted strategy, it is very important to intensify the process of forming common energy markets, "said the President of Belarus.
It should be noted that the development and approval by the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council of the concept for the formation of a common gas market of the Eurasian Economic Union is envisaged until January 1, 2016, and until January 1, 2018 - a program for the formation of a common gas market for the Union, providing for the implementation of the program activities until January 1, 2024. Upon completion of the activities of the program for the formation of a common gas market of the Union, the member states will conclude an international treaty within the Union on the formation of a common gas market for the Union, containing, inter alia, uniform rules for access to gas transmission systems located on the territories of the member states, and will ensure its entry into effective no later than January 1, 2025. By 2025, the common digital agenda of the EAEU will also be implemented and a common financial market will be created
