Eurasian Economic Union heads of state meet in Yerevan

Government heads of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) met in Yerevan yesterday to participate in the EAEU intergovernmental council. 

The EAEU includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, and serves as an international economic integration organization operating under the auspices of Russia, providing member states with the freedom of movement of labor, goods, services and capital.

Before the council meeting, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in an informal setting.

 Official meeting

The agenda of the meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council was quite intense and for the first couple of hours it was held behind closed doors. 

The media reported that 13 issues were discussed, concerning the elimination of obstacles in the internal market of the union, the development of the integration processes, industrial cooperation, trade, customs cooperation and the economy.

Particular attention was paid to the meeting participants on the digital agenda of the EAEU. 

The prospects for the development of e-commerce and the “single window” model in the system of regulation of foreign economic activity were discussed as well. 

What did Pashinyan say

During the extended meeting, which was open to the public, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan made several statements concerning the transformations taking place in the country in almost all areas: the fight against corruption, strengthening the independence of the judiciary and the goals of the current government. 

The main goal, Pashinyan said, is to create a competitive and technologically developed economy:

“We managed to minimize the activity of artificial monopolies and oligopolies. Today, no one in Armenia can manipulate their political influence and leverage to achieve economic goals. This, in turn, has improved the economic and political environment in the country and, I’m not afraid to say, the moral climate in society as a whole.”

Nikol Pashinyan described Armenia as a dynamically developing country characterized by political stability and predictability:

“Our government today has a high degree of legitimacy and an unprecedented level of public trust, which also inspires bold steps and dedicated work for the good of our people and country.”

What did Medvedev talk about

The head of the Russian government, Dmitry Medvedev, spoke of the need for the EAEU countries to eliminate obstacles to free trade.

One of the main issues in this case is the situation with customs duties. But, Medvedev says, a specific decision on import customs duties has not yet been taken. He also said that Russia would seek to avoid sanctions inside the EAEU.

A meeting without ties

This is the first visit of the head of the Russian government after the change of power in Armenia. Obviously, in a bilateral format, Medvedev and Pashinyan discussed issues of mutual importance. 

Immediately after the arrival of the Russian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan received him at the government mansion where they live. The Prime Minister of Armenia told Medvedev that in Armenia it is customary for “the dearest guests to be received at home.”

“I think that the current moment in our relations is a very important point. I am sure that, contrary to pessimists, our relations will reach a new level. And we, of course, will do everything for this. ”

Medvedev thanks Pashinyan for inviting him into his home.

“This is an opportunity to get to know each other better, in an informal setting to talk about various aspects of bilateral cooperation … This meeting is a good opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations … important issues, including very complex ones.”

Details of the bilateral meeting of the prime ministers were not reported.