Cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries in an aggravating geopolitical situation and increasing pressure from unfriendly countries is of strategic importance, and joint projects can become the basis for technological sovereignty with the existing state support. This was the opinion of the participants in the session entitled ‘A Eurasia of Regions’ at the Eurasian Economic Forum.
KEY CONCLUSIONS
Interaction among EAEU member states is becoming increasingly relevant in view of Western sanctions policies
“There is a growing need to cooperate due to unfriendly actions of the collective West, which is imposing new sanctions on Belarus and Russia,” Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Board, Eurasian Economic Commission.
“Since 2015, the Kyrgyz Republic’s gross domestic product has grown by a factor of 1.5, and it has almost doubled its production volumes. All of this has taken place within the framework of integration processes with the EAEU. Our unique project with the Kyrgyz Republic is a joint investment fund, which shows what opportunities integration in the EAEU offers, including on a regional level,” Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“We defend the entire Eurasian Union from aggressive attempts at enslavement by the forces which seek to maintain world domination and impose their will on the world. This can be countered only through unity and consolidation of not only our countries, but also of the regions where confessions and traditions are respected. Crimea is a prime example of this policy,” Georgiy Muradov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea; Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea under the President of the Russian Federation.
EAEU countries have great potential for technological sovereignty
“The total domestic market for diesel engines to equip our domestic machinery is USD 1.3 billion a year. Our own production volume is USD 170 million. When the powerful companies left our market, we faced a serious problem. <…> In six months, we have actually created a line-up of all the necessary engines that can be used to equip the vehicles we produce in the Eurasian Economic Union. The problem has been solved, and this shows the great potential of our economies to engage in localisation and technological sovereignty,” Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Board, Eurasian Economic Commission.
“Industrial potential is open and oriented towards external markets,” Alexander Subbotin, Chairman, Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
Cooperation between EAEU countries has intensified significantly
“We have seriously stepped up our work. <...> The EAEU is not just about mutual trade, but also about cooperation,” Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“Our partners are increasing their presence in the region, and we for our part are engaging with the countries of our community. There are effective contracts with Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. <...> Several agreements have been signed, among them agreements with Belarus and Armenia. A draft agreement with the North Kazakhstan Region and regions of Armenia is in the works. We are working on the preparation of a Russian-Armenian forum,” Vasily Golubev, Governor of Rostov Region.
“We have confirmed the implementation of the new investment standard and are implementing training projects to support investors at regional and municipal levels – this is the Investment School,” Natalya Komarova, Governor of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area – Yugra.
PROBLEMS
Competition instead of mutually beneficial specialization
“We have the strongest competition among the EAEU countries: anti-dumping investigations, or violations of anti-trust laws, or something is wrong with prices. At the same time, unfriendly countries are actively promoting their interests in the EAEU. <…> Leningrad Region has a good record of breeding dairy cattle. Belarusian breeders have a fairly good position in the production of crop seeds. Our EAEU countries spend USD 1.1 billion a year on the purchase of crop seeds alone, buying seeds of sugar beet and corn. We need to think and, without infringing on national interests, find mutually beneficial specialization,” Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Board, Eurasian Economic Commission.
SOLUTIONS
Strengthening ties with EAEU countries should be a regional policy priority
“The priority objectives of the Eurasian Economic Commission and the member states of the Union are to create the necessary conditions for investment and innovation development. Developing regional economies through investment implies improving the overall socio-economic situation, creating comfortable conditions for doing business,” Kanat Dzhumagaziev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Chui Region.
“In Rostov Region, we will continue to form a transport and logistics centre and cooperate with new regions. The priority is to create conditions for strengthening ties with EAEU countries,” Vasily Golubev, Governor of Rostov Region.
Cooperative projects of EAEU member states should get budgetary support
“At the Supreme Council in Bishkek, the heads of state decided that cooperation projects should get budgetary support through subsidizing the interest rate on loans for these projects. <...> Each region has enterprises that could potentially become participants in these projects,” Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Board, Eurasian Economic Commission.
“Our regions should have more platforms to deepen their economic and investment cooperation,” Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“In the current situation, there is a need to develop new transport and logistics schemes. The role of Crimean ports in delivering goods to EAEU member states and friendly countries in the Middle East, North Africa and even more distant Latin America is increasing. The ports of Kerch, Feodosia, Yevpatoria and Sevastopol could become hubs for export and import of various cargoes and ports for ships of all EAEU countries, even coastal ones, increasing the volume of foreign trade operations manifold,” Georgiy Muradov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea; Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea under the President of the Russian Federation.
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