Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is sure that the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) can together withstand global changes that have arisen due to the policy of the West.
"Together we are able to confront the most difficult challenges, such as the coronavirus, its consequences, as well as the global changes taking place today, which are the result of collective West policy," the chairman of the Russian cabinet of ministers said Thursday at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental council.
According to his assessment, "despite external pressure and the difficult international situation, the union acts coherently and effectively on the basis of mutual support, a willingness to solve emerging problems in a timely manner." "This approach allows us to maintain stability and continue to work for the benefit of our countries," Mishustin stressed.
He conveyed to his colleagues from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan the best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian prime minister drew attention to the fact that the current meeting is the first one this year. In 2023, Russia will take over the presidency of the EEU from Kyrgyzstan. "The Russian Federation will continue the course aimed at strengthening the integration construction. This is necessary for the economic stability of our entire macro-region," Mishustin noted.
He recalled Putin's words about the confident development of the EEU, the association's efficiency and its relevance. "The absolute volume of mutual trade between the states over the existence of the union has increased by more than one and a half times, foreign trade has increased almost by half, the share of non-resource goods with high added value is steadily increasing in the domestic trade turnover," said the chairman of the Russian government.
Cooperation for the benefit of citizens
According to him, it is now especially important for the EEU countries to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of citizens.
"We are ready for close constructive cooperation with partners and the EEC for the practical implementation of the Russian presidency's priorities," he said, speaking at a meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental council on Thursday. - "Our countries have been working together for decades in a variety of areas, and now it is especially important to strengthen practical cooperation and expand areas of joint activities, first and foremost so that the lives of our people become better."
"I am sure that we will cope with these tasks together," Mishustin stressed.
Reminding that Russia will chair the bodies of the EEU in 2023, the prime minister named the priorities of its work, which were previously mentioned by Putin. In particular it is about developing the technological potential of the " five", achieving true independence and self-sufficiency in this area. It is also necessary to intensify cooperation in the field of digital transformation, the common market of the union should provide the conditions for launching new high-tech enterprises, the introduction of modern solutions in the manufacturing processes, continued Mishustin.
It is equally important, according to him, to pursue a common policy in the field of food security, to continue making joint decisions on the creation of common energy markets. "Together we should reduce economic risks that are caused by the use of currencies of unfriendly countries and improve the business environment," the Russian prime minister added.
He also named the formation of a new transport and logistics infrastructure and building mutually beneficial and equal cooperation of the EEU with external partners and other international associations among the priorities.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan
Based on materials from TASS