Priorities of Russian EAEU chairmanship in 2018
In 2018 Russia assumed the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) bodies. Russia’s chairmanship of the Union will be based on the priorities set forth by the Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the EAEU heads of state on January 17, 2018.
In addition to ordinary work on developing supranational regulations and eliminating some exemptions from the common market, Russia proposed to the partners a number of new initiatives and projects in the fields of nuclear energy, renewable energy sources, the environment, medicine, space exploration, tourism and sports. The formation of a common digital space of the Union will be a priority.
Russia will continue to strengthen the EAEU`s relationships with foreign partners – countries and institutions. Talks to create FTZs with Singapore, Iran, India, Israel, Egypt and Serbia have been launched. The signing of a trade and economic cooperation agreement between the EAEU and the PRC promises to open up broad vistas.
Russia also committed to continue interaction with the UN and its specialised bodies as well as strengthen the positions of the member states and the Union as a whole within the WTO.
The Eurasian Economic Commission will present a plan for the implementation of the priorities of the Russian EAEU chairmanship in 2018 and will report on its fulfillment during the course of the year.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) launched its work on January 1, 2015. The EAEU unites Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
A thriving common market for goods is operating. Services, capital and labour markets are being formed on the basis of universal rules. A new EAEU Customs Code came into effect as of January 1.
In 2017 all the EAEU member states registered economic growth (total EAEU GDP was up 1.8 percent). Trade between the member states is growing (in the first three quarters of 2017 mutual trade within the Union grew by 26.9 percent and exports to foreign markets by 24.7 percent).
Press-release at the Russian MFA official web-site