Lavrov urges EU on isolation 'from Eurasian reality'

MINSK, June 16 (Itar-Tass) - Partners in the European Union (EU) should not fence themselves off "from the reality existing in the Eurasian space”, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday. “The Eurasian Economic Union will deepen, develop and expand,” Lavrov said, referring to the fledging regional assembly grouping Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and expected soon to be joined by Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. This integration process should be open for co-operation with other unions, including the EU, said Russia's top diplomat. “It is in our interests to work to harmonise integration processes in different parts of Europe and Eurasia, in particular the gradual but stable formation of a common economic and humanitarian space from the Atlantic to the Pacific,” he added. Noting negotiations with the foreign minister of Belarus on Monday, Lavrov said talks had started for a free trade zone between the EU and the existing Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. “We’ll co-operate in the interests of the people of the European Union and other countries, including members of the Eurasian Economic Union,” Lavrov said. Learn more on itar-tass.com