The summit, along with the President of Kazakhstan, was attended by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic - Chairman of the SEEC Sadyr Zhaparov, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the heads of states - observers to the EAEU - the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz- Kanel, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich.
In his speech, the President of Kazakhstan noted that in the context of global and regional challenges, the joint efforts of the EAEU countries successfully overcome social and economic barriers, ensure macroeconomic stability and growth dynamics.
- Over the years of the Union's activity, mutual trade of Kazakhstan has increased by 33 percent, and exports - by 55 percent. More than 15,000 joint ventures operate in Kazakhstan, and their number continues to grow. This is a welcome occurrence. These indicators testify to the success of our integration cooperation. I consider it important that common efforts continue to be directed towards the dynamic development of trade and economic cooperation for the benefit of our citizens. I see this as a guarantee of strengthening our “collective immunity” in the face of global challenges,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.
In his opinion, the sanctions confrontation observed today is unprecedented in its essence and consequences.
– In February of this year, within the framework of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council held in the capital of Kazakhstan, I proposed to create a High-Level Working Group to develop economic measures to ensure the sustainability of the economies of the Eurasian Five countries. The working group has been created. A package of operational measures has been developed, which are being implemented and already have concrete results. However, one must understand that the current geopolitical situation will have a long-term character. And we must be ready for this,” the Head of State said.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited the council members to consider two initiatives of Kazakhstan that meet the current realities and needs of the integration association.
“We need real projects and concrete results. To do this, it is necessary to speed up the completion of joint projects of the EAEU member countries, as well as to initiate new investment projects. It is necessary to strengthen interaction in the business line, improve our high-speed transcontinental corridors, thereby ensuring their regional and global competitiveness. I propose to pay special attention to the issue of creating comfortable conditions for the relocation of foreign companies, taking into account the sanctions context. Even the world's giants are well aware of the advantages of the geo-economic location of the EAEU, and it is also impossible to ignore the potential of our 180 million consumer market. I propose to implement these measures within 12 months, the President of Kazakhstan noted.
The head of state believes that the work can be built within the framework of the High-Level Working Group under the leadership of a profile member - the Minister of the EEC Board. The interim report of the Working Group is proposed to be considered in December of this year.
– In this difficult time, the issue of expanding and deepening economic cooperation with third countries and integration associations is of particular relevance. I already spoke about this at the meeting of the Supreme Council in October last year. This direction was also identified as one of the priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the EAEU bodies. At the end of last year, a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. We should put the work on a practical footing as soon as possible by starting discussions on specific projects and initiatives. Today we are launching negotiations on a free trade agreement with Indonesia. Negotiations are underway with India, an agreement with Mongolia is at the stage of elaboration, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.
According to him, the given vector in the current conditions is of particular relevance. The President of Kazakhstan called on the Commission and the Government to speed up this work
– Yesterday, the first Eurasian Economic Forum took place, where we discussed topical issues, problems and ways to solve them, exchanged views on the further development of Eurasian integration. I am convinced that the agreements and decisions of these two fruitful days will be continued as part of the further development of our association,” the Head of State summed up his speech.
