22 December 2025, 12:20

EEC outlines EAEU’s international priorities for 2026

MOSCOW, 22 December (BelTA) – At a meeting on 21 December in St. Petersburg, the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council approved the main directions for international activities of the Eurasian Economic Union for 2026. The organization will focus on maintaining trade and economic dialogue with its closest neighbors, expanding cooperation with observer states, and intensifying engagement with key integration associations across Eurasia, Africa, and Latin America, BelTA learned from the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

“Particular emphasis is placed on increasing the union’s connectivity with third-country markets through the development of Eurasian transport corridors and their integration with multilateral international projects,” the press service noted. “Key areas include creating favorable conditions for businesses in member states to conduct foreign economic activity.”

In 2026, the union’s efforts will focus on developing existing cooperation mechanisms, including through memoranda, declarations, and trade agreements. The EAEU will prioritize cooperation with the United Nations and its regional commissions and specialized bodies, the World Trade Organization, the World Customs Organization, among others. Engagement with regional associations will cover the CIS, SCO, ASEAN, CICA, the African Union, and several sub-regional integration blocs in Africa, such as the East African Community and the Economic Community of Central African States.

“New areas of dialogue with regional integration associations include interaction with the Organization of Turkic States, the Arab Competition Network, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development,” the EEC clarified. “Further development of cooperation is expected with a number of international organizations, including the World Energy Council, the International Organization for Standardization, the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization, and the Pharmacopeial Discussion Group.”

“Plans are underway to further develop trade and economic cooperation with the CIS countries, BRICS nations, China, Vietnam, Serbia, Singapore, and Iran in accordance with existing trade agreements,” the EEC added. “This also includes cooperation with the UAE under an economic partnership agreement, Mongolia under an interim trade agreement, and other states expressing interest in dialogue.”