The strategy for the development of Eurasian integration and a unified approach to energy resources are the main topics of the EAEU online summit. The leaders exchanged views on the formation of a common gas market in narrow and wide formats. The agenda included the gas transportation, as well as issues on the black gold. The international treaty is expected to be concluded by 2024. It will also form common rules for trading in oil and petroleum products.
Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus:
It is necessary to take into account the interests of all member states of our Union in striving to create a common energy market. This way can we ensure its stability and durability. We link further development of the EAEU to the full and timely implementation of the Eurasian economic integration until 2025. It is important to focus on the implementation of the measures stipulated by this document. A full-fledged economic union with single markets for goods, services, capital and labor resources can be obtained in this case by January 2025. Such areas as the formation of a digital space should be prioritized. According to our estimates, the process of creating and launching an integrated information system is proceeding slowly.
The topics of further development of the transit potential of the association, import substitution and digitalization were also touched upon. In the context of constant attacks by Western countries, it is necessary to be able to protect the market. Therefore, protectionism of the market from allies is unacceptable in the EAEU member states. The leaders' proposals also include intensification of work on the creation of joint industrial clusters and enterprises. Another important area is trade in national currencies, which will strengthen the financial markets of the countries of Eurasian integration.
Kazakhstan, as the Chairman of the EAEU, also called for joint efforts to successfully overcome the pandemic. President of the country Kassym Jomart-Tokayev drew attention to the insufficient level of vaccination and the risks of the emergence of new strains of coronavirus. The only way to defeat the disease is to work together.
Kazakhstan supported the proposal of the Belarusian leader to promote the digital agenda. And the President of Russia criticized Western countries for the policy of sanctions.
The EAEU countries have developed six measures to respond to sanctions. Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko told reporters about this after the online meetings. He also noted that disagreements over the formation of a common gas and oil market remain. At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko noted that achievement of common goals is highly dependant on the unification. Moreover, this can be done only in face-to-face meetings.
Cuba and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. They are observers in the association. The President of Cuba thanked Belarus and other countries for opposition to the US criminal policy. The Eurasian Economic Union serves almost two hundred million people and gets five trillion dollars in purchasing power parity. The joint foreign trade turnover is $ 733 billion.
