The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is becoming one of the centers of the emerging multipolar world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"I note with satisfaction that cooperation within the Eurasian Union continues to strengthen, and our association is consistently establishing itself as one of the independent and self-sufficient centers of the emerging multipolar world," the Russian head of state said at an enlarged meeting of the "five" on Thursday.
Putin stressed that "the interaction of the five countries is always built on the principles of mutual benefit, taking into account each other's interests and focusing on ensuring sustainable economic growth and deepening the prosperity of the inhabitants of all EEU states."
The Russian president said that earlier on Thursday the leaders of the Union member countries in a narrow format "exchanged views on important aspects of the association and outlined the strategic prospects for deepening integration cooperation."
The Russian president drew attention to the fact that leader of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participates in the enlarged meeting as a guest for the first time. He also welcomed presidents of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emomali Rakhmon, who joined the summit via video-conference. "I want to express confidence that your countries will build up productive and multifaceted cooperation with the five," Putin addressed the three presidents.
The Russian leader noted that the current meeting takes place on the eve of the Eurasian Economic Union Day on May 29, which marks "a common commitment of the EEU states to further develop integration."
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS