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Putin calls for 'Eurasian Union' of
ex-Soviet republics
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called for a
"Eurasian Union" of former Soviet republics along the
lines of the European Union.
Mr Putin says a new political union would
have a "positive global effect"
Mr Putin, who recently announced he is running for president, said the bloc
would become a major global player.
He said Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan were already going ahead with
economic integration.
However, he denied proposing to re-create the Soviet Union, saying a new
bloc would have different values.
"There is no talk about rebuilding the USSR in one way or another," he said
in an article in the daily newspaper Izvestia.
"It would be naive to try to restore or copy something that belongs to the
past, but a close integration based on new values and economic and
political foundation is a demand of the present time."
He said a "Eurasian Union" would "build on the experience of the European
Union and other regional coalitions".
Mr Putin said the aim was to "create real conditions to change the
geopolitical and geoeconomic configuration of the entire continent and
have an undoubtedly positive global effect".
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have already formed an economic alliance
that removes customs barriers. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have said they
are studying the possibility of joining the scheme.
Russia has long called for stronger co-operation between ex-Soviet
nations.
However, correspondents say earlier attempts at forging closer ties have
failed because of sharp economic differences.
Many ex-Soviet nations have also looked to the West and have remained
suspicious of Moscow's intentions.
Last month, Mr Putin said he had accepted a proposal to stand for
president in March 2012 with the backing of current President Dmitry
Medvedev.
Mr Putin had already served two terms as president before Mr Medvedev
took over in 2008. Observers say Mr Putin's return to the Kremlin is now all
but guaranteed.
BBC News - Putin calls for 'Eurasian Union' of ex-Soviet republics
ex-Soviet republics
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has called for a
"Eurasian Union" of former Soviet republics along the
lines of the European Union.
Mr Putin says a new political union would
have a "positive global effect"
Mr Putin, who recently announced he is running for president, said the bloc
would become a major global player.
He said Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan were already going ahead with
economic integration.
However, he denied proposing to re-create the Soviet Union, saying a new
bloc would have different values.
"There is no talk about rebuilding the USSR in one way or another," he said
in an article in the daily newspaper Izvestia.
"It would be naive to try to restore or copy something that belongs to the
past, but a close integration based on new values and economic and
political foundation is a demand of the present time."
He said a "Eurasian Union" would "build on the experience of the European
Union and other regional coalitions".
Mr Putin said the aim was to "create real conditions to change the
geopolitical and geoeconomic configuration of the entire continent and
have an undoubtedly positive global effect".
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have already formed an economic alliance
that removes customs barriers. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have said they
are studying the possibility of joining the scheme.
Russia has long called for stronger co-operation between ex-Soviet
nations.
However, correspondents say earlier attempts at forging closer ties have
failed because of sharp economic differences.
Many ex-Soviet nations have also looked to the West and have remained
suspicious of Moscow's intentions.
Last month, Mr Putin said he had accepted a proposal to stand for
president in March 2012 with the backing of current President Dmitry
Medvedev.
Mr Putin had already served two terms as president before Mr Medvedev
took over in 2008. Observers say Mr Putin's return to the Kremlin is now all
but guaranteed.
BBC News - Putin calls for 'Eurasian Union' of ex-Soviet republics
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