President’s Press Secretary Berik Uali announced the heads of EAEU member states are expected to discuss the issues of the activity of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as well as further development of economic cooperation between EAEU member states.
At the recent international conference themed ‘Ways to Achieve the Paris Agreement Goals and Kazakhstan’s Carbon Neutrality’ held in Nur-Sultan President Tokayev said the SEEC meeting will adopt the statement on the EAEU climate agenda. It should be noted that tomorrow, October 15, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is set to take part in the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independence States (CIS) held via videoconference and chaired by Belarus.
Kazakhstan will assumed the CIS Chairmanship in 2022.
While addressing the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC) via videoconference the Head of State urged his colleagues from the EAEU member countries to join efforts and overcome the pandemic. He also expressed hope that the virtual format of the meeting will not affect its effectiveness and welcomed the presidents of observer states Cuba and Uzbekistan.
Despite tangible results in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, according to President Tokayev, EAEU member states still experience difficulties in that respect. The risks of new COVID strains still persist and the level of vaccination of EAEU citizens is insufficient. The Head of State revealed that Kazakhstan has developed its own homegrown anti-COVID vaccine, QazVac which is actively used in the country. The process of its registration with the WHO is underway. He also said that the production of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine at the pharmaceutical plant in the Kazakh city of Karaganda sets the example of integration cooperation.
President Tokayev called on heads of the EAEU member states to join efforts and overcome the coronavirus pandemic together. He also urged them to develop joint scientific and pharmaceutical projects as well as coordinate actions on sanitary and epidemiological regimes, if necessary.
Addressing the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC) , President Tokayev expressed satisfaction with the fact that economies of the EAEU member countries are gradually recovering. According to the data of the Eurasian Economic Commission, GDP growth of the EAEU member states has totaled 4.5% in the first half of 2021. Total gross domestic product has almost reached $900 billion. The Head of State added that despite this, external risks and uncertainty factors are still high.
Earlier Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on heads of the EAEU member states to join efforts, overcome the coronavirus pandemic together and develop joint scientific and pharmaceutical projects.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev believes it is necessary for EAEU member states to step up cooperation with the third countries.
Head of State stressed that the negotiations on free trade agreements with Israel, Egypt and India have been going on for years and it is high time to speed up the negotiation process. He went on to add that Eurasian Economic Commission should come up with the proposals on trade cooperation with other countries as well as organizations.
President Tokayev said it is crucial to step up cooperation with the SCO and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is a free trade agreement between Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and five ASEAN major trade partners. He reminded that the free trade agreements with two ASEAN members – Singapore and Vietnam – have already been signed.
By Kazinform
