MINSK. April 2 (Interfax) - Belarus will continue broadening mutually advantageous cooperation with Ukraine, said Belarus' Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.
"The Ukrainian people must choose a direction for their development on their own, we think. Whatever their choice, we will continue broadening mutually advantageous cooperation with Ukraine in all areas of mutual interest," Makei said in an interview on Tuesday.
Asked whether the situation in Ukraine influences the work of the integrated bodies, or the negotiating process in the Customs Union, he said that, "the Customs Union's enlargement is not a goal in itself and fully depends on the sovereign choice of the candidates."
"A larger Customs Union will create an environment for expanding the Eurasian market, for integration with the global economy and for enhancing foreign investor interest," he said.
Ukraine's membership in the Customs Union would give Ukrainian partners indisputable economic dividends, including additional conditions for increasing trade and for broadening investment and innovative cooperation, he said. "In addition to this, membership in the Eurasian Economic Space does not limit its members' rights to pursue a multi-vector policy and to deepen interaction with other countries," Makei said.