Petrishenko, EAEU minister discuss joint response to sanctions

“We have discussed joint action of the EAEU member states in response to possible sanctions on one of the EAEU member states. Both Belarus and Russia have experienced this kind of pressure. Hence this initiative. Today we have analyzed the set of tools that we can use. The issues were grouped into three blocs: the first bloc deals with concerted action within the existing legal framework of the EAEU; the second one provides for a political and economic response (retaliatory measures will be prepared and submitted to heads of state); the third group includes measures that can be implemented by adjusting the EAEU regulatory framework,” Igor Petrishenko said.

The vice-premier noted that the EAEU countries are actively promoting integration cooperation. “It is very important for us to implement the strategic areas of the EAEU development until 2025. Today, at a scheduled meeting with the respective minister, we have discussed the creation of free trade zones between the EAEU and a number of countries, in particular, the negotiations with Egypt are now in full swing. We have also taken stock of the progress to fulfill the trade and economic cooperation agreement with China. Now we are working on the Eurasian Agroexpress project that will ensure accelerated delivery of agricultural products from the EAEU member states to China. This project is now implemented by Russia, but there are interested companies in our country that are ready to get involved by supplying food and participating in the logistics chain,” he said.

In addition, the meeting discussed production of electric vehicles and their supply to the markets of the EAEU countries, as well as support for the BELAZ plant that seeks to have duties scrapped for the import of engines.