the meeting was attended by the leaders of the “five” – Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the head of the state observer in the EAEC, the President of Moldova Igor Dodon and the Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian economic Commission (EEC) Mikhail Myasnikovich.
the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as the Chairman of the summit, were asked to choose between two versions of the rules. The first is to hold a meeting traditionally narrow composition, after the break extended. Second – to organize a single meeting, “no one is exposing the door of the delegations.” “The more secrets there,” he added. Leaders agreed with the second option. And then broadcast connected Moldovan leader.
Difficult times associated with the pandemic directly affected the functioning of the EEU. However the presidents for the second time were able to gather “on distance”. “A lot of work to do in order to finally defeat the epidemic coronavirus infection, restore economic growth, to address issues related to social problems,” – said Vladimir Putin.
In the strategy, the draft of which had approve been prescribed task of completing the formation of the common market, improving customs and administrative regulation, the formation of digital space. “Was a really comprehensive document that defines the course of the Eurasian economic Union in the short to medium term”, – said the Russian President.
the Project was almost agreed: except for one point concerning tariffs for gas transportation. There is a formula, which is supported by Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: approaches to the pricing of “blue fuel” can be determined later in the negotiations on forming a common gas market. But the formula is not mistaken Yerevan and Minsk: they offer a single tariff for transportation and transit of gas.
“We believe that a single tariff can be implemented only in a single market with a unified budget, a unified system of taxation”, – explained the position of Moscow with Putin. Such a deep level of integration has not been reached, and while the price of gas should be formed on the basis of the market situation, take into account the cost and investment providers, to ensure a reasonable rate of profit on invested in the production of capital, he said. It is common international practice.
“If the position of our Armenian and Belarusian friends will remain intact, then perhaps it would be logical to exclude the paragraph on Gaza of the strategy project, to approve it today,” Putin suggested. A discussion of approaches to pricing of gas to continue the Eurasian economic Commission, thus strengthening its institutional role, strengthen the responsibility.
the Russian President also noted that the EEU ��have established strong direct contacts with many state and integration structures, and getting bigger. The assets of international agreements with China, Vietnam, Iran, Serbia, Singapore, at an advanced stage in negotiations with Israel and Egypt, started shopping consultations with India, he listed and called upon to give priority to dialogue with other partners. All this will allow in the future to create a Great Eurasian partnership.
the Outstanding issue is the pricing of gas transportation services in the common market of the EEU, Alexander Lukashenko said. “With a final, mutually acceptable solution we can not decide for several years, despite the fact that the urgency of the problem is increasing”, – he stated and urged to find a consensus.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in the context of global economic challenges in his country there is a particularly urgent need for the speedy formation of a common market of gas. “A single energy market with non-discriminatory principles of operation must be one of the foundations of our integration,” he said.
the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed to postpone the adoption of the strategy before today’s summit: “There are issues that need further discussion and elaboration”. Lukashenko has proposed to conduct face-to-face summit in Minsk in the fall. Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov urged to make adjustments to the strategy because of the pandemic. It is expected a sharp decline in production and it is vital to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, he said.
