Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to convene with leaders from neighboring countries, including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), in St. Petersburg ahead of the New Year, continuing a tradition of annual meetings in the city.
The two-day events will feature a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC) on Monday, focusing on reviewing Russia's EEU presidency since it began on January 1, 2023. The meeting is expected to cover crucial aspects of the union's operations, discuss further integration, and endorse significant decisions and documents. Among these is a declaration outlining the EEU's development until 2030 and through 2045. An important milestone anticipated during the summit is the signing of an agreement establishing a free trade zone between EEU countries and Iran.
Simultaneously, an informal gathering of CIS heads of state will take place in St. Petersburg on Monday and Tuesday, continuing a traditional format for communication among leaders during the last days of December.
Putin regularly engages with his counterparts from the EEU and CIS. In the previous EEU meeting on May 25 in the Kremlin, the heads of state discussed collaborative efforts within the union and outlined plans for the future. During that meeting, Putin emphasized the significance of bolstering technological and digital sovereignty, along with financial independence within the EEU. He also suggested developing shared principles and standards in education, healthcare, and public administration within the union.
At the EEU meeting held last December, the heads of state summarized the year's work. Putin also invited his colleagues to an informal meeting of CIS leaders in St. Petersburg, and this time the events are being held together.
The EEU currently comprises five states: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The New Year's Eve informal meeting within the CIS, lasting two days, is a traditional format of communication among leaders of neighboring countries. For many years, the heads of Commonwealth states have gathered in St. Petersburg in the last days of December.
Putin characterizes these summits as conversations "in a friendly circle," focusing on business agendas that include regional and international topics. The Russian president emphasizes the active development of cooperation within the CIS, citing growing trade turnover, the conversion of settlements to national currencies, and the emergence of new projects, including in industry and science.
Putin's reported program for Russia's 2024 presidency in the Commonwealth includes about 150 events. The main summit is scheduled for October 8 in Moscow. In this position, the Russian Federation is determined to cooperate with all CIS partners, both bilaterally and within the context of the presidency.
The CIS currently consists of 11 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Putin notes that, de facto, Moldova and Ukraine have long been nominal participants and are not actively involved in the association's work.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS