This is the statement the Belarussian premier made at his meeting with members of the high-level group for the common economic space formation, staying in Minsk.
Mr. Sidorsky noted that all the four countries could feel the dynamism of the group's work.
"We, government leaders, are impressed with the work you are conducting, and we feel the desire to accelerate the countries' progress towards the common economic space," Mr. Sidorsky said to the deputy prime ministers of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.
In turn, Belarus's Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Mikhnevich made it clear to RIA Novosti that the republic's authorities were confident there was no alternative to the common economic space.
In his words, the sides are to sign 85 documents within the common economic space framework before January 1. "Thirty agreements will be signed by mid-November, I think. At least, we have set this task for ourselves," said Mr. Mikhnevich.
"We are working out, coordinating and putting them forward to the leaders of the countries involved for internal state procedures," said the spokesman for the Belarussian foreign ministry. Further, he specified, we are implementing integration of different levels and different speeds.
He explained, "there are agreements which the four countries will join immediately, and there are other agreements that the countries will not be able to join at the initial stage. This is where integration of different levels is essential." In his opinion, "this will not affect the work of the common economic space much, because the tiered principle of integration is also applied in the EU."
"The common economic space is not a momentous organization. This is a process," said Mr. Mikhnevich.
"Today the package of documents under development includes 20 documents unanimously supported by the four countries." Fourteen documents arouse disagreements, but they will be settled at this session of the high-level group.
"Today, the CIS countries are closely watching the common economic space because it is a vast market with commodities that are well familiar on this space," said Alexander Mikhnevich.
On Friday in Minsk, the high-level group will determine the list of agreements providing for the formation and operation of the common economic space, which will have to be signed in the first place. Moreover, the sides will exchange information on cooperation in joining the WTO in the context of goals and objectives of the common economic space formation. We will also consider the development of international legal and other draft and other documents ensuring formation and operation of the common economic space.
