ASTANA, 31 May (BelTA-Kazinform) – The heads of state of the EEU member states are discussing matters related to the establishment of trade and economic relations with integration associations such as the European Union (EU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said at the extended-participation meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Astana on 31 May.
“We know that the interest in our economic association has been increasing worldwide. International contacts of our union have been extensively developing. That is why I, as the current chairman of the organization, have proposed to declare this year as the year of strengthening the EEU economic relations with third countries and key integration associations,” said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The President of Kazakhstan noted that the EEU should become an open association, organically integrated with the world economic system and a reliable bridge between Europe and Asia.
“The first free trade agreement with Vietnam was signed last year. Today we have discussed cooperation with the People's Republic of China, India, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Cambodia and many other countries. We are also considering the opportunity to establish trade and economic ties between the EEU and integration associations such as the EU, SCO and ASEAN,” Nursultan Nazarbayev added.
