Russia strengthens integration with friendly countries in Eurasian space

A series of interstate meetings at the level of heads of government of the CIS and EAEU countries are being held in Sochi from June 7 to 9. The range of issues discussed is quite wide - trade and economic cooperation, energy cooperation, the development of digital technologies, and much more. The forum is held at a high organizational level, accompanied by a high-quality, detailed study of all issues submitted for discussion.

Sochi's Sirius Park became the venue for the international forum. Russia is represented at the forum by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. He met with the heads of governments of Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the observer states - Uzbekistan and Cuba. In addition, the forum was attended by representatives of the invited countries - Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.

In parallel with the official meetings of the heads of government, Sochi is hosting the 2nd Youth Forum, the official opening of which was attended by Mikhail Mishustin. The Prime Minister of Russia and his foreign colleagues visited the exhibition "Eurasia is our Home", where joint projects of the CIS countries are presented.

Russia considers the CIS countries as its strategic partners, which was repeatedly emphasized during Mikhail Mishustin's meetings with representatives of these states. The parties concluded that mutual integration had proved its effectiveness and relevance, especially in systemic problems in the global economy.

Mutually beneficial cooperation has created new cooperative chains, logistics opportunities, standard gas, oil, and electricity markets, etc. The EAEU has become one of the independent and self-sufficient centers of the emerging multipolar world. The countries of the Commonwealth must be connected not only by economic interests but also by the traditions of many years of friendship. Through joint efforts, the EAEU countries are creating a comfortable place for life and business in the Eurasian space.

We are talking about using the EU integration experience to develop the EAEU. Under Western sanctions, this path will allow Russia to strengthen economic, political, and humanitarian ties in the Eurasian space. According to experts, this integration option has excellent prospects, especially since it has a deeper foundation than the European Union – the EAEU countries are united not only by economic interests but also by a common history and cultural ties. Today’s integration results may not be as impressive, but the effect will increase.

Expanding inter-regional economic and cultural ties gives additional stability to this model. It is enough to take the example of Bashkiria, which has organized business missions over the past two years to Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and other friendly countries. During this period, enterprises of the republic signed 33 contracts with foreign partners for $29 million. Similar work is being done in other regions. The X Forum of the Regions of Russia and Belarus, which will be held on June 26-28 in Ufa, will also contribute to the further strengthening cooperation in the Eurasian space. Its participants will discuss the prospects for economic and humanitarian cooperation, the interaction between the regions of Russia and Belarus, the possibilities of public diplomacy, the formation of a unified industrial and agricultural policy, the creation of a suitable legal system, the development of tourism, and other issues.