The current meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, was also attended by the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, as the head of the observer state, the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Bakytzhan Sagintaev. The CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev participated as a guest.
The summit’s agenda focused on crucial topics such as enhancing multilateral trade and economic cooperation, supporting industrial cooperation projects, and implementing joint programs in priority areas of interaction.
At the beginning of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan congratulated Vladimir Putin on taking office as President of the Russian Federation.
He congratulated all meeting participants on the 79th anniversary of Victory in World War II and the tenth anniversary of establishing the Eurasian Economic Union.
The Leader of Uzbekistan noted that, in the current realities, supporting and stimulating trade and economic relations between our countries, promoting cooperation projects, and creating conditions for the growth of mutual investments are of paramount importance.
An example of such cooperation is the traditional International Exhibition “Innoprom”, which was successfully held last month in Tashkent.
“Today, this forum has become an effective platform for the development of business dialogue between Uzbekistan and Russia and other states of the Eurasian Economic Union”, the President noted.
The intention was expressed to expand this platform and attract an increasing number of companies, including from other partner countries, including Cuba, Iran, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Mongolia, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Speaking about cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EAEU in observer status, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized the growth in the volume of mutual trade turnover, primarily due to an increase in the supply of industrial products. At the same time, the share of payments in national currencies is increasing.
Over 1 thousand joint ventures and projects have been launched. Cargo transportation volumes are growing, and the frequency of regular flights has doubled.
Three meetings of the High-Level Working Group were held together with the Eurasian Economic Commission, and the activities of the joint Plan were fully implemented.
Uzbekistan has joined industry projects and programs in digitalizing trade and cargo transportation, e-commerce, and the climate agenda.
The Head of state specifically focused on the priorities of mutually beneficial cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union.
Interest was expressed in enhancing practical partnerships and more active participation in implementing multilateral industry cooperation projects within the framework of the EAEU’s strategic development directions.
In this regard, it was proposed that a new comprehensive plan of joint activities between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Eurasian Economic Commission be prepared for the medium term.
“We are confident that the effective implementation of this document will be facilitated by the early adoption of a mechanism regulating the issues of full participation of observer states in projects”, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized.
The readiness to mutually eliminate barriers and restrictions in trade with the EAEU countries was confirmed. Uzbekistan has launched a procedure for accession to the 2009 Rules for Determining the Country of Origin of Goods.
As the Leader of Uzbekistan noted, specific practical steps in this direction could be the organization of electronic exchange of data on goods and vehicles moved across our customs borders, the integration of information systems for sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary control, the adoption of a Plan for the convergence of technical regulation measures and the use of electronic certification.
The importance of continuing close dialogue on developing the North-South transport corridor with access to South and Southeast Asia markets and the Middle East was emphasized.
In this context, the fruitful results of the first meeting of heads of transport departments on the development of the multimodal route Belarus – Russia – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan, held at the end of April in the city of Termez, were noted with satisfaction.
To simplify transit procedures, a set of measures for digital interaction with the implemented Unified Cutoms Transit System of the EAEU was proposed.
The Head of state focused on supporting industrial cooperation projects and localization programs for producing in-demand products.
A separate roadmap was proposed in this direction, providing for the placement of new capacities in industrial zones and technology parks jointly created in our countries’ regions.
“Issues of broadly attracting business to such projects can be considered during the first meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the EAEU Business Council, which will be held this year in Samarkand”, the President suggested.
Interest was also expressed in using the capabilities of a special mechanism for supporting industrial cooperation programs within the Association.
In addition, the Head of state noted the need to enhance collaboration with the bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union in such vital areas as:
– development of the Eurasian Agroexpress, introduction of green and water-saving technologies, support for the creation of joint agro-industrial clusters and logistics centers;
– development of common approaches and close cooperation in overcoming the consequences of climate change;
– creating favorable conditions and social guarantees for the activities of migrant workers in our countries, with connection to digital platforms;
– developing joint tourism programs and products to increase tourist exchange dramatically.
