The Russian authorities launched the project of Greater Eurasia – the Eastern world in the economic space. This is how the results of the talks between Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and the head of government of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in Alma-Ata on February 2 are assessed. A common development strategy with Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan requires that Russia can turn to sustainable trade ties with India, China and the emerging states of Southeast Asia.

Opening the meeting of the Eurasian Intercommunal Council in a narrow circle, Mishustin is especially cautious about the abilities of the EAEU countries related to global issues and the spread of pressure from the United States and outreach. “Together with the identification of the most serious problems with the emergence of situations such as the coronavirus and its consequences, also the global changes that are taking place today, which have become a consequence of the collective policy of the West,” he said.

“Despite external pressure and the difficult international situation, the union is defending itself consciously and freely, on the basis of mutual support. This approach allows for the observance and preservation of work for the benefit of the citizens of our states,” Mishustin explained.

The meeting of the Eurasian Interethnic Council was held in Ama-Ata

A photo: Vladimir Andreev © URA.RU

According to the Prime Minister, the growth rate of the dynamics of growth in the number of participants in the EAEU. “The absolute volume of mutual trade between states during its control has increased by more than one and a half times. Foreign trade grew almost by half. The share of non-commodity goods with high added value is progressively expected in foreign trade turnover,” Mishustin recalled.

Mishustin also raises the importance of coordinated work and increased performance of the EAEU countries in creating sensitive markets and reduces the economic risks that are caused by the set of currencies of unfriendly countries. “Another priority is the formation of our own transport and logistics solidarity, as well as building mutually beneficial and equal cooperation within the framework of the Association with Switzerland and non-governmental associations,” he added.

Kyrgyzstan ceded to Russia the chair of the Eurasian Economic Union

A photo: Vladimir Andreev © URA.RU

The Prime Minister noted that in today’s market, the Union provides conditions for launching new high-tech enterprises, introducing modern solutions in production processes, building mutually beneficial and equal cooperation.

After the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, Mikhail Mishustin held a series of bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Nikol Pashinyan, Romanov Golovchenko and Alikhan Smailov. The proposal of the Russian Cabinet noted significant new economic infrastructure routes and a significant result in the digital transformation of the economy and public administration.

“At the level of governing bodies, the most active work is being done on the reaction of trade and economic cooperation. And, despite the difficult situation, our cooperation developed successfully,” Mishustin stated.

Both Prime Ministers Mikhail Mishustin and Russian President Vladimir Putin are constantly focusing on the importance of approaching economic ties between the EAEU countries, as the Union of Functions is becoming the center of Moscow’s foreign economic project, by and large, in the global economic space – Greater Eurasia, told URA.RU RIAC Vice-Rector for Communications of the State Academic University for the Humanities Vyacheslav Sutyrin. “The bridges with the West have been burned, but the light has not converged with the wedge in Europe, especially since there are huge markets in the East. The eastern direction is now strategic for Russia, but first it is necessary to equip its macro-region, and this work is being carried out within the framework of the EAEU,” he explains.

Russia has a reverse development strategy with Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Photo: Vladimir Andreev © URA.RU

According to Sutyrin, Moscow sets the trends for the development of the common economic space for neighboring countries, especially since this year the chairmanship of the EAEU has passed from Kyrgyzstan to Russia. “Modernization is launched with priorities in the form of the sovereignty of the collective technological process, so as not to be worried about possible sanctions. Unlike the temporary USSR, the countries of post-Soviet Eurasia retain their political independence, but their economic power is strongly covered by the Russian Federation. “Therefore, the main council suggested that countries can offer a friend what advantages to get from cooperation right now, ours later – and from far abroad countries within the framework of Greater Eurasia,” the expert added.

Judging by the statements of the heads of government in Alma-Ata, interaction between the EAEU countries will primarily be aimed at import substitution in pharmaceuticals, microelectronics, aircraft manufacturing, machine tool building, Stanislav Pritchin, a prominent senior researcher at the Center for Post-Soviet Studies at IMEMO RAS. “Governments are agreeing on industrial cooperation, that is, the creation of enterprises for the development of production. individual parts are often preferred to be made in different countries, and to carry out the final assembly. According to this scheme, for example, Airbus aircraft are made in Europe. For successful investments in such production as a large sales market, the EAEU market is larger by share than the market of each of the countries in terms of production,” the expert shared.

Mishustin in his institution is also of great importance for transport and logistics routes, because this is a key issue on the way to Greater Eurasia, well-known program director of the Valdai International Discussion Club, research director of the Center for European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics Timofey Bordachev. “There is a saying in China: if you want to get rich, build roads. Russia’s trade with its neighbors is already on the rise, double-digit growth in percentage terms, and frequent imports come through their share. The EAEU resolves the issue of holding trade and logistics negotiations between countries, speaking in the single large countries, which helps to occupy an important place,” representative Bordachev.