MINSK, 26 October (BelTA) – The EEU member states are willing to be a reliable partner for everyone wishing to develop cooperation with the union, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasily Nebenzya said at the opening ceremony of the international conference “Laying the foundation in the UNECE region for economic integration and sustainable development towards 2030” in Minsk on 26 October, BelTA has learned.
“Our union was established to strengthen the trade and economic paradigm of interaction between the states both inside the post-Soviet space and beyond. This project relies on the principles of equality, transparency, mutual respect and consideration of the interests of all parties. We are committed to harmonizing our integration process with other integration processes and are ready to be a reliable and predictable partner for everyone who wishes to develop beneficial contacts with the union,” Vasily Nebenzya said.
He added that work is in progress on the preparation of trade and economic agreements establishing free trade areas between the EEU and fifteen countries. About 50 states have already expressed an interest to develop relations with the Eurasian Economic Union.
However, the deputy minister said that some Western experts try to discredit the EEU never hesitating to use unscrupulous methods. “One of the most popular and absurd accusations is that the EEU is the brainchild of Russia who has invented the technology to revive the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the EEU, that has been in operation for almost two years, has become a modern international organization of economic integration committed to solving specific tasks,” Vasily Nebenzya said.
The EEU member states are driven by a common understanding of the need for close cooperation as a powerful source of development of national economies. They see the integration processes as a tool for preserving the national identity and sovereignty of the countries through higher level of development and well-being, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vasily Nebenzya said.