Kazakhstan’s head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in a regular session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC), held in video conference format.
The key agenda item of the meeting was the discussion of topical issues in the development of the Eurasian Economic Union, including the revised draft Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration through to 2025, priority cooperation areas within the organization, improvement of mechanisms for the application of common anti-dumping, compensatory and special measures to protect the interests of manufacturers, as well as granting Uzbekistan and Cuba observer status in the EAEU.
In his speech, President of Kazakhstan noted that this year had been a serious test for everyone, but the Union demonstrated unity and cohesion, and most importantly, the ability to withstand challenges. Important decisions were promptly made to ensure the health and safety of the population.
According to the President, the rapid spread of COVID-19, falling commodity prices, a sharp decline in economic activity around the world - all this had its toll on the economies of the countries.
"Negative trends also influenced trade within the Union. Mutual trade in 9 months of this year decreased by 13% to $ 39 billion. The trade turnover of the Eurasian Economic Union with third countries fell even more - by 19% and amounted to $ 447 billion. All this foregrounds the task of effective interaction, search for growth reserves and unlocking the economic potential of our Union," Tokayev said.
The approval of the EAEU Strategy through to 2025 deserves special attention. In May this year, the President expressed his position on the need for a more complete study of the draft Strategy, given the presence of some controversial provisions in the document. He thanked his colleagues, heads of state for supporting this position.
The meeting also considered Kazakhstan’s proposal regarding the formation of the Commission staff. He noted with satisfaction the reached acceptable consensus on all sensitive issues, which reconfirms the desire of the countries to reckon with each other's positions and achieve consensus.
Tokayev made a number of proposals aimed at stimulating entrepreneurial activity, involving small and medium-sized businesses in integration production chains, and holding offsite meetings of the EEC board members with business. Importance was also noted of developing an assessment model, objectively showing real contribution of everyone, added value of integration into the economy of the EAEU member states.
The Kazakh President drew the attention of the heads of state to the continuing growth of China and Asia, which is gradually turning the East into a center of global economic gravity.
"Asia is indeed becoming a region of the XXI century. 28% of world GDP is already concentrated here, and this figure will only be growing. Now the trend of the "turn to the East" offers new opportunities for transport and logistics cooperation. We, the Eurasian countries, should fully avail of our transit potential. I propose to speed up work on the modernization of cross-border sections of transport arteries, in particular, to complete the construction and upgrades of the Western Europe - Western China motorway section in the Russian Federation. In addition, the process of digitizing all road corridors should be started to ensure the freedom of internal movement of goods, as well as transit to third countries," Tokayev suggested.
Kazakhstan takes over the chairmanship in the statutory bodies of the EAEU from Belarus from the new 2021 year. The heads of state listed the main priorities of our country's chairmanship.
Reported by the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda.
