Lukashenko comments on key issues on EAEU agenda

In spite of the persistent difficult situation on the global market, in 2021 the countries managed to produce rather good results in foreign and mutual trade, the head of state remarked. “Virtually all countries of our union have a double-digit increase in export to foreign markets, and this is a good sign. This is not only the result of deferred demand on a low base from the previous year,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

On the formation of common markets

According to the president, the implementation of strategic guidelines of developing the Eurasian economic integration till 2025 has proceeded as planned. “In spite of certain difficulties, we continue doing our best to build common markets in the union. At the same time, we still need to address some important issues in the process of building common markets of gas, oil and oil products,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“I think that in the near future we will have a chance to discuss these issues,” he added.

On the digitization of transportation

An agreement on the use of navigation seals for transportation tracking in the EAEU was submitted for signing at the summit. This agreement is one of the crucial elements for the formation of the single system of customs transit in the union.

“The digitization of transportation fully meets the spirit of the time. The use of such seals will help promote trust in trade between our countries, optimize control events at internal borders, improve the transit attractiveness of the union,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

On changes dictated by life itself

Another document submitted for signing is the second big protocol on the introduction of amendments to the EAEU Treaty involving a wide range of issues such as the application of antidumping measures in relation to third countries, competition and state pricing regulation, indirect taxes and the mechanism of controlling their payment, technical regulations and other things. “All that is dictated by life itself,” the head of state remarked.

On international cooperation

In accordance with the major priorities of international activities in the EAEU in 2022 which are seeking approval, Aleksandr Lukashenko deems it necessary to focus on a number of crucial issues.

In his words, joint work with foreign countries and the operation of the Eurasian Economic Commission should be focused on the resolution of practical tasks such as the promotion of export of goods and services.

“China has a special place here. I deem it necessary to focus on the interaction with this country within the framework of the coordination of plans to develop the EAEU, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the 2018 trade and economic cooperation agreement.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also wants to continue the dialogue with Egypt and Iran in order to finish the talks on the free trade agreement, and to intensify the dialogue with Israel.

It is expected that the preliminary work with Indonesia and Mongolia will be finished soon and a decision on the viability of the free trade agreement talks with these countries will be made soon.

Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the efficient protection of the economic interests of the EAEU should be the main priority of the economic activities in 2022 and in the long run.

On keeping positive dynamics of economic growth

The head of state remarked that the favorable situation in foreign trade has a cyclic nature, and in order to keep the positive dynamics of economic growth, the EAEU partners should take a number of measures in 2022. 

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, first of all, it is essential to intensify industrial cooperation and to produce new in-demand products together. “The coordination of the list of joint large-scale high-tech projects and the clarification of their financing and implementation conditions will be an important practical step in this field. We are working on such projects with the Russian Federation,” the president said. “In order to solve this issue, in the coming years we need to pay attention to the application of innovative technologies not to lose foreign markets. The accumulation of joint efforts and the scientific potential of our countries will give maximum benefits.”

The president deems it necessary to coordinate the instruments and conditions of state support of the manufacturing sector in the EAEU countries to promote the harmonious development of this sector and to ensure productive cooperation between the member states.

“Within the framework of the formation of the common market of public procurement contracts next year at the level of the union we need to ensure the mutual recognition of electronic digital signatures and to determine a set of measures to promote public procurement digitization in our countries. For this purpose, we need to solve another pending issue – the mutual recognition of guarantees issued by banks in our countries,” the Belarusian leader continued.

Apart from that, taking into account the recently adopted statement on cooperation on the climate agenda and intention of world's leading countries to develop low-carbon economy, Aleksandr Lukashenko deems it necessary to analyze the necessity to amend the provisions of the EAEU development strategy.

“I believe that decent work on these issues will bring us maximum benefits and ensure a significant progress in the implementation of the strategy,” the head of state concluded.