OREANDA-NEWS. July 6, 2009. Belarus is interested in being part of the Customs Union together with Russia and Kazakhstan as well as part of the free trade zone together with the European Union. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Die Presse on 6 July.

“Time is the priority for us. We will never reject the Customs Union because it is advantageous for us. But we won’t turn down being part of the EU free trade zone if we are offered the possibility tomorrow. We could use it,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The President added: “We prioritize what we can implement earlier. If the Customs Union starts operating in 2010, it will become our priority. Whether there will be a free trade zone of Belarus, Ukraine and the European Union or not we don’t know yet. It is only talks so far. It would be good if we set up the Customs Union together with Kazakhstan and Russia, it will be very profitable for us. If we manage it, we will be joining the WTO together, too. Naturally it would be very advantageous if we create a free trade zone with the European Union”.

During the interview Alexander Lukashenko was asked over 20 questions about Belarus’ interest in the Eastern Partnership, the country’s relations with the Russian Federation, cooperation with the European Union, privatization processes in the country as well as other topical matters.