CHOLPON ATA, 20 August (BelTA) – The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states should strengthen cooperation amidst external pressure, Belarus' Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, BelTA has learned.
“We believe that the Eurasian integration should rely on a solid foundation of internal resources and capabilities. There are many challenges and contradictions in the world. On the one hand, international trade is gradually reviving; trade within the EAEU and trade of the EAEU member states with other countries are on the rise. On the other hand, there is an increasing external pressure on the EAEU member states. We do not want the economy to become hostage to political pressure. In the current conditions, we need to look for new points of growth. We count on our partners in the EAEU, we believe that the EAEU market can and should be self-sufficient, especially when it comes to food security and modern technologies. We urge to carefully monitor the impact of economic pressure on the economies of the EAEU countries, on industrial cooperation, internal and external trade in order to mitigate the negative consequences. It is important to maintain and intensify our cooperation,” Roman Golovchenko said.
The prime minister noted that the participants of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council had a constructive discussion on all topical issues of the integration agenda on 19 August. “The agreements that were reached seek to protect our common market, boost mutual trade and trade with third countries, and facilitate the free movement of goods and services in our common market. I would like to emphasize the importance of the ongoing negotiations to create a common market for public procurement in the EAEU. We have made significant progress over the year. A Eurasian register of industrial goods is up and running, a regulatory framework is being developed,” he said.
Roman Golovchenko deems it necessary to pay special attention to such objectives as increasing the technological independence and building capacities of the EAEU countries, implementing cooperation projects, developing common approaches to the global climate agenda. “By jointly defending a common position on international platforms, we will be able to minimize the negative impact of climate regulations in trade on export-oriented industries of the EAEU countries,” he added.
“Despite objective difficulties that arise while looking for common ground, we are satisfied with the progress in Eurasian integration in all areas stipulated by our main document - the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union. In addition to integration documents and various kinds of strategies, plans and programs, the EAEU is increasing its focus on practical issues related to the economy and living standards. The Eurasian register of industrial goods, the Traveling Without COVID-19 project demonstrate the advantages of the union. Reviewing the agenda of today's meeting, I would like to mention plans to approve the list of exemptions and restrictions on the EAEU internal market that are to be eliminated in 2021-2022. The fulfillment of the commitments laid down in this document is an important step towards building a common market,” the prime minister is convinced.
“We are satisfied with the plan of priority measures for digital transformation of rail freight transport, which is expected to facilitate trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and China. The plan will pave the way for creation of digital transport corridors and logistics routes with China in the near future,” Roman Golovchenko said.
The participants of the meeting will also discuss a roadmap for a coordinated transport policy of the EAEU member states for 2021-2023, a roadmap to establish a common market for organic agricultural products in the EAEU. “Being a major food exporter, Belarus deems it necessary to start working on a common market for organic products. The proposed action plan will have a positive impact on mutual trade and cooperation in this area. We support the development of an international treaty to facilitate the free movement of organic agricultural products within the EAEU,” Roman Golovchenko said.
He went on saying that the creation of common markets for oil, petroleum products and gas is proceeding in line with the schedule. “I would like to call on the parties to consolidate their efforts to complete work on draft agreements in this area in time,” he added.
