Eurasian Economic Union

Eurasian Economic Union Armenian: Եվրասիական տնտեսական միություն Belarusian: Еўразійскі эканамічны саюз Kazakh: Eurazialyq Ekonomikalyq Odaq Kyrgyz: Евразиялык экономикалык биримдик Russian: Евразийский экономический союз
Flag Coat of arms
Member states Territories occupied by Russia
Administrative centers	Moscow,Russia (Commission) Minsk,Belarus (Court)
Largest city	Moscow 55°45′N37°37′E
Working language	Russian
Type	Economic union
Member states	Member states: Armenia Belarus Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Russia Observers: Cuba Moldova Uzbekistan
Leaders
• Chairman of theSupreme Eurasian Economic Council(2024)	Nikol Pashinyan
• Chairman of the Board of theEurasian Economic Commission	Bakhytjan Sagintayev
Establishment
•Original proposala	1994
•Economic Community	10 October 2000
•Eurasian Customs Union	1 January 2010
• Establishment agreed	18 November 2011
•Eurasian Economic Space	1 January 2012
• EAEU Treaty signed	29 May 2014
• EAEU established	1 January 2015
Area
• Total	20,229,248km2(7,810,556 sq mi)
Population
• 2022 estimate	182,131,000
• Density	9.12/km2(23.6/sq mi)
GDP(PPP)	2022 estimate
• Total	US$5.677 trillion
• Per capita	$31,200
GDP(nominal)	2022 estimate
• Total	US$2.573 trillion
• Per capita	$14,100
Currency	Armenian dram Belarusian ruble Kazakhstani tenge Kyrgyz som Russian ruble
Time zone	UTC+2 to +12
Driving side	right
Calling code	4 codes +7 +374 +375 +996
Internet TLD	5TLDs .am .by .kg .kz .ru
Website EAEUnion.org
ByKazakhstani PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev.

TheEurasian Economic Union(EAEUorEEU)is aneconomic unionof fivepost-Soviet stateslocated inEurasia.The EAEU has an integratedsingle market.As of 2023, it consists of 183 million people and agross domestic productof over $2.4 trillion.

The Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders ofBelarus,Kazakhstan,andRussia,and came into force on 1 January 2015.Treaties aiming forArmenia's andKyrgyzstan's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union were signed on 9 October and 23 December 2014, respectively. Armenia's accession treaty came into force on 2 January 2015. Kyrgyzstan's accession treaty came into effect on 6 August 2015.Kyrgyzstan participated in the EAEU from the day of its establishment as an acceding state.

The EAEU encourages the free movement of goods and services, and provides for common policies in the macroeconomic sphere, transport, industry and agriculture, energy, foreign trade and investment, customs, technical regulation, competition, and antitrust regulation. Provisions for asingle currencyand greater integration are envisioned for the future.The union operates throughsupranationalandintergovernmentalinstitutions.The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the supreme body of the Union, consisting of theHeads of the Member States.The second level of intergovernmental institutions is represented by the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (consisting of the Heads of the governments of member states). The day-to-day work of the EAEU is done through theEurasian Economic Commission,the executive body of the Union. There is also a judicial body – theCourt of the EAEU.

History

Timeline of EAEU Integration from theWorld Trade Organizationreport.

Regional Trade Agreements Database of theWorld Trade Organization.

Regional Trade Agreements Database of theWorld Trade Organization.

Proposal

In the 1990s, Russia and the Central Asian republics were weakened economically and faced declines inGDPas a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The member states of the union underwent economic reforms andprivatisation.The process of Eurasian integration began immediately after the break-up of the Soviet Union. When the USSRbegan to fallin 1991, the presidents ofBelarus,KazakhstanandRussiaof the founding republics signed theBelavezha Accordson 8 December 1991, declaring that theSoviet Union would cease to existand proclaimed theCommonwealth of Independent Statesin its place.

In 1994, during a speech atMoscow State University,the firstPresident of Kazakhstan,Nursultan Nazarbayev,suggested the idea of creating a "Eurasian Union" as a regional trade bloc in order to connect to and profit from the growing economies ofEuropeandEast Asia.The vision would be to simplify the free flow of goods across Eurasia.The idea was quickly seen as a way to bolster trade, boost investment inCentral Asia,ArmeniaandBelarus,and serve as a complement to theEastern Partnership.

Founding treaties (1990s)

Meeting of the leaders of theCommonwealth of Independent States(CIS) inBishkek,2008. The CIS initiated the lengthy process of Eurasian integration.

During the 1990s, the Eurasian integration process was slow, possibly due to the economic crisis experienced after the dissolution of theSoviet Unionand the size of the countries involved (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan cover an area of about 20 million km²). As a result, numerous treaties have been signed by member states to establish the regional trade bloc gradually.

In 1995, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and later acceding states Kyrgyzstan andTajikistansigned the first agreements on the establishment of aCustoms Union.Its purpose was to gradually lead the way toward the creation of open borders without passport controls between member states.

In 1996, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed the Treaty on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields to begin economic integration between countries to allow for the creation ofcommon marketsfor goods, services, capital, labour, and developing single transport, energy and information systems.

In 1999, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed the Treaty on the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space by clarifying the goals and policies the states would undertake in order to form theEurasian Customs Unionand the Single Economic Space.

Eurasian Economic Community (2000–2014)

Main article:Eurasian Economic Community

To promote further economic integration and more cooperation, in 2000 Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan established theEurasian Economic Community(EurAsEC) whichUzbekistanjoined in 2006. The treaty established a common market for its member states. The Eurasian Economic Community was modelled on theEuropean Economic Community.The two had a comparable population size of 171 million and 169 million, respectively.

A Treaty on a Single Economic Space by Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine was signed in 2003 and ratified in 2004, but the process was stalled after theOrange revolution.

In 2007, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement to create a Customs Union between the three countries.

Establishing the customs union and single market (2010–2014)

Main articles:Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic UnionandEurasian Economic Space

A session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (composed of the union's heads of state) is held at least once every year.

The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia (now theEurasian Customs Union) came into existence on 1 January 2010.The Customs Union's priorities were the elimination of intra-bloc tariffs, establishing a common external tariff policy and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. It was launched as a first step towards forming a broader single market inspired by theEuropean Union,with the objective of forming an alliance betweenformer Soviet states.The member states planned to continue with economic integration and were set to remove allcustoms bordersbetween each other after July 2011.

On 1 January 2012, the three states established theEurasian Economic Spacewhich ensures the effective functioning of asingle marketfor goods, services, capital and labour, and to establish coherent industrial, transport, energy and agricultural policies.The agreement included aroadmapfor future integration and established theEurasian Economic Commission(modelled on theEuropean Commission).The Eurasian Economic Commission serves as the regulatory agency for the Eurasian Customs Union, the Single Economic Space and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union

The signing ceremony of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (inAstana,Kazakhstan,on 29 May 2014)

In 2011, the then-Prime Minister of Russia,Vladimir Putin,announced his support for Nursultan Nazarbayev's idea for the creation of a Eurasian Economic Union.On 18 November 2011, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed an agreement setting a target of establishing the Eurasian Economic Union by 2015.The member states put together a joint commission on fostering closer economic ties.

On 29 May 2014, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia signed the treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union, which came into effect on 1 January 2015. The presidents ofArmeniaand Kyrgyzstan were also present at the signing ceremony. Russian president Vladimir Putin stated, "Today we have created a powerful, attractive centre of economic development, a big regional market that unites more than 170 million people."Kazakh politicians emphasized the Eurasian Economic Union was not intended to be a political bloc, but a purely economic union.Bakytzhan Sagintayev,the first deputy prime minister of Kazakhstan and lead negotiator, said, "We are not creating a political organisation; we are forming a purely economic union." He further stated "it is a pragmatic means to get benefits. We don't meddle into what Russia is doing politically, and they cannot tell us what foreign policy to pursue."By October, the treaty had received parliamentary approval from all three states.On 9 October 2014, a Treaty to enlarge the EAEU to Armenia was signed.Kyrgyzstan signed the Treaty on 23 December 2014 and became a member of the Eurasian Union on 6 August 2015.

Structural evolution

Treaties and development stages of Eurasian Economic Union

Year	Signed Documents
1995	Treaty on the Customs Union between Belarus and Russia
	Treaty on the Customs Union between Kazakhstan and Russia
1996	Agreement on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan
1999	Treaty on the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan (Agreement to complete the formation of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space)
2000	Treaty on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
2003	Treaty on forming the Single Economic Space Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine
2007	Treaty on the Commission of the Customs Union Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
	Treaty on the Establishment of the Integrated Customs Territory and Creation of the Customs Union Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
2010	Establishment of the Customs Union Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
2011	Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Commission Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
	The decision of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on the entry of international agreements into force forming the legal base of the Customs Union and Single Economic Space Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
	Declaration on Eurasian Economic Integration Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
2012	Establishment of the Single Economic Space Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia
	Eurasian Economic Commission started functioning
2015	Establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union
	The agreement on the Eurasian Economic Union

Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022)

Main article:Russian invasion of Ukraine

As a result of Russia'sinvasion of Ukraine,the US and EU placed sanctions upon Russia and Belarus.On March 10, 2022, Russia suspended exports of wheat, meslin, rye, barley, and corn to the Eurasian Economic Union to secure the country's food supplies.The ban was reversed on April 1, 2022, although other restrictions on the trade of foods were simultaneously introduced.On March 29 a Kazakh government official stated that Kazakhstan would abide by US and EU sanctions and would not facilitate any circumvention, despite its membership of the EAEU. The official explained that Kazakhstan does not wish to be targeted by secondary sanctions, and instead will be seeking to expand its cooperation with the EU.

On December 15, 2023, the EAEU signed a free trade agreement with Iran that will eliminate customs duties on almost 90% of goods. The agreement serves to replace a similar temporary agreement that has been in force since 2019.

Membership

Main article:Member states of the Eurasian Economic Union

Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union

Observer states

Candidate states

Country	Accession date	Date of signature
Armenia	2 January 2015	10 October 2014
Belarus	1 January 2015	29 May 2014
Kazakhstan	1 January 2015	29 May 2014
Kyrgyzstan	12 August 2015	23 December 2014
Russia	1 January 2015	29 May 2014

The treaty establishing the Eurasian Economic Union was formally signed by three states which were part of the formerSoviet Union:Belarus,Kazakhstan,andRussia.Agreements to enlarge the EAEU to the other post-Soviet states ofArmeniaandKyrgyzstanwere signed on 9 October and 23 December 2014, respectively.For Kyrgyzstan, facilitation of labour migration regulations with Russia was seen as the main benefit of joining the Eurasian Economic Union. The population migration indicator had an inverse dependence withGDP per capita,consumer price index,minimum wage,andunemployment rate.

Armenia announced its decision to join theEurasian Customs Unionin September 2013.PresidentSerj Sargsyanannounced the decision after talks with his Russian counterpart PresidentVladimir PutininMoscow.The treaty enlarging the EAEU to Armenia was signed on 9 October 2014.By signing this contract, Armenia has accepted corresponding application, and thereby gained access to the EAEU single market with a population of 170 million citizens.Armenia is the only country of the EAEU that has no common border with the other member states of the union.Georgiaguaranteed a free transit corridor for exporting its goods to the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenian deputy economic minister Emil Tarasyan stated.

Moldovawas granted Observer Status in April 2017.

UzbekistanandCubabecame observer members on 11 December 2020.After the presidential elections in December 2021, Uzbekistan was expected to obtain full membership by 2022 or 2023.In December 2022, Russian prime minister Mishustin mentioned the advantages of Uzbek full membership in EAEU.By February 2023, Uzbek prime minister Aripov announced the completion of the preparatory work to ensure harmonization of national technical regulations with the EAEU standards.

Presidency

Each year, a Member State is elected chairman to head the Union. Chairmanship is passed from country to country in alphabetical order in theRussian language.Armeniacurrently holds the chairmanship.

Year	#	Country	Head of state or government	Major trade agreements
2015	1st	Belarus	Alexander Lukashenko	Vietnam
2016	2nd	Kazakhstan	Nursultan Nazarbayev	none
2017	3rd	Kyrgyzstan	Almazbek Atambayev(until 1 December)
			Sooronbay Jeenbekov(from 1 December)
2018	4th	Russia	Vladimir Putin	China,Iran
2019	5th	Armenia	Nikol Pashinyan	Serbia,Singapore
2020	6th	Belarus	Alexander Lukashenko
2021	7th	Kazakhstan	Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
2022	8th	Kyrgyzstan	Sadyr Japarov
2023	9th	Russia	Vladimir Putin
2024	10th	Armenia	Nikol Pashinyan
2025	11th	Belarus	Alexander Lukashenko

Enlargement

Main article:Enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union

Russian PresidentVladimir Putinhas stated that Russia's goal was to enlarge the Customs Union to allpost-Soviet states,excluding the threeBalticEU member states.According toThe Guardiannewspaper, Russia's plan is for the Eurasian Union to grow into a "powerful, supra-national union" of sovereign states like the European Union, uniting economies,legal systems,customs services, and military capabilities to form a bridge between Europe and Asia to balance the EU and the U.S.

In May 2015, an integration agreement was signed between the Russian Federation and South Ossetia. If South Ossetia were to join, it would be by acceding to the Russian Federation.In 2023, South Ossetia began implementing and integrating the EAEU's common tariffs.

Tajikistanwas formally invited to join the union and has expressed its interest in acceding.It is recognized as a potential candidate and membership negotiations are underway.In 2015, further efforts were made to integrate Tajikistan into the EAEU.

It took Europe 40 years to move from the European Coal and Steel Community to the full European Union. The establishment of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space is proceeding at a much faster pace because we could draw on the experience of the EU and other regional associations. We see their strengths and weaknesses. And this is our obvious advantage since it means we are in a position to avoid mistakes and unnecessary bureaucratic superstructures.

— Vladimir Putin, "A new integration project for Eurasia: The future in the making",Izvestia, 3 October 2011

Uzbekistanhas been hesitant to join the Economic Union, with Uzbek officials making opposing claims on the prospect of integration.Originally, the country preferred not to pursue economic and political integration.Russian officials have stated that integration with the country would be slow and analysts state that as Russian influence and trade increases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan it may persuade Uzbekistan to join in the future.Uzbekistan began its integration process when Russia announced it would write off US$865 million off debt owed by the country. Uzbekistan joined theCommonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Areain 2014, meaning it has free trade with EAEU member states.According to some sources, Uzbekistan does not intend to become a full member of the EAEU,due to Uzbekistan's neutrality which is enshrined in the country's legislation. In March 2020, Uzbekistan announced that it wished to become a Eurasian Union observer state.In September 2023, Uzbekistan estimated that it will join EAEU in 2–3 years.

Moldova,UkraineandGeorgiahave been offered by both theEuropean Unionand the Eurasian Economic Union to join their integration unions. All three countries signed Association Agreements with the EU on 21 March 2014.However, break-away regions of Moldova (Transnistria),Ukraine (DonetskandLuhansk)and Georgia (South OssetiaandAbkhazia)have expressed a desire to join the Eurasian Customs Union and integrate into the Eurasian Economic Union. Association Agreements with the EU are exclusionary to EAEU observer status, as in 2017 Moldova became the EAEU's first observer state and has attended EAEU forums in years since.

Ukraine submitted an application to participate in the Eurasian Economic Union as an observer in August 2013.Viktor Yanukovych's decision to abandon an association agreement with theEuropean Unionand exclusively pursue integration with the EAEU was a key factor in theEuromaidan proteststhat ended his term aspresident of Ukrainefollowed byannexation of Crimea by Russia.The country's membership in the EAEU was seen by some analysts as the key to the success of the union as Ukraine has the second largest economy of any of the 15 former republics of the Soviet Union. With high tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the wake of the crisis, Ukraine decided to pursue integration with the EU.

Turkeywas extended an invitation to join the EAEU byKazakhstan's PresidentNursultan Nazarbayevon 6 June 2014 but the country prefers to join the EU.

Georgia's Prime MinisterBidzina Ivanishvilisaid in September 2013 he was studying the possibility of acceding to the Union, although he later clarified that Georgia's main strategy was still to integrate into the European Union.Russia's Prime MinisterDmitri Medvedevincluded Georgia as a prospective member in statements made in August 2013.

Politics and governance

Current decision-making process of theEurasian Customs Unionand the Single Economic Space

The Eurasian Economic Union has sought to base its model on theEuropean Union.All institutions carry out their work in compliance with the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and the international agreements that provide the legal and regulatory framework of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space.

Supreme Eurasian Economic Council

Main article:Supreme Eurasian Economic Council

The Supreme Council, which is composed by the heads of state of the member states, makes important decisions for the union. It approves the budget and the distribution of the contribution of the Member States. The Supreme Council also determines the strategy, direction and prospects of integration and takes decisions aimed at achieving the goals of the union.

Eurasian Economic Commission

Main article:Eurasian Economic Commission

The Eurasian Commission was established as the supranational governing body of the Eurasian Economic Space on 1 January 2012.The commission was modelled on theEuropean Commission.Its headquarters are inMoscow.The commission monitors subordinate branches and advisory bodies. Its departments were greatly expanded on 1 January 2015, and the number of international employees increased from 150 to 1,200.

The Eurasian Commission can take decisions on not only the customs policy of the union, but also on the macro-economy, the competition regulations, the energy policy and the fiscal policy of the Eurasian Economic Union. It has strict anti-corruption laws.

The Eurasian Economic Commission consists of two bodies: the Council and the Collegium.

Council

The council is composed of the Vice Prime Ministers of the member states. The council of the Commission oversees the integration processes in the Union, and is responsible for the overall management of the Eurasian Commission. It monitors the commission by approving the draft budget of the union, the maximum number of personnel, and the qualification requirements for the commission's employees. The council convenes once every quarter.

It also considers issues of customs cooperation, trade and development of Eurasian integration. The council regularly holds discussions on the important aspects of the EAEU and meets with business representatives of the member states.

Board

The Board is composed of ten commissioners, one of which is the chairman of the board.Each member state provides two commissioners to the Board of the Eurasian Commission who carry out the operational management and oversee the everyday work of the Eurasian Commission.All ten commissioners are appointed by the Supreme Eurasian Council for a four-year renewable term. The commissioners also receive the status of federal ministers in their respective countries.

The Board of the commission is the executive body of the commission. It convenes once every week at least, and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Eurasian Economic Union. It has a wide range of activities, including monitoring the implementation of treaties, submitting annual progress reports and making recommendations. The Board also assists member states in the settlement of disputes, and carries out the draft of the union's budget. Part of its activities include being the intermediary between the departments of the commission and the heads of state of the member states.

A number of departments are headed by the commissioners. The lower rank staff is composed of 84% Russian officials, 10% Kazakhs and 6% Belarusians, proportional to the populations of the member states.The departments enable the Board of the Eurasian Commission to make decisions not only with regard to customs policies, but in such areas asmacroeconomics,regulation ofeconomic competition,energy policyandfinancial policy.The Commission departments are also involved ingovernment procurementandlabour migrationcontrol.

Parliament

As of 2015, the EAEU has no directly or indirectly elected body. In 2012, the creation of a Eurasian parliament was under consideration.However, it was considered too premature, and member states have instead begun harmonising national laws and legal codes.

Russian presidentVladimir Putinhas upheld the idea of creating a parliament for the union.

Court of the Eurasian Economic Union

The Court of the Eurasian Economic Union replaced the Court of theEurasian Economic Community(EurAsEC Court) in 2015. It is in charge of dispute resolution and the interpretation of the legal order within the Eurasian Economic Union. Its headquarters is inMinsk.The court is composed of two judges from each member state, appointed by the heads of government of the member states. Their term of office is nine years.

Budget

The approved budget of the Eurasian Economic Union for 2015 exceeds 6.6 billion Russian roubles.The budget is formed from contributions by the union's member states. In 2015, 6 billion roubles will be allocated for the activity of theEurasian Economic Commission,463 million roubles will be set aside for financing the operation and further development of the EAEU integrated information system designed to promote and inform consumers of the EAEU's activities, and over 290 millions roubles will finance the activities of theCourt of the EAEU. Extra expenses of infrastructure and accommodation of commission workers are financed by Russia. In addition, Russia allocated US$1 billion to accelerate Kyrgyzstan's entry into the union.Another US$177 million was provided by Kazakhstan.

Languages

According to Article 110 of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (2014) the Russian language is the working language of the 'Bodies of the Union'.

Economy

Selection of GDP PPP data (top 10 countries andblocs) in no particular order

Internal market overview

TheMoscow International Business Centeris a commercial district inMoscowthat is currently under construction. The complex includes some ofEurope's tallest skyscrapers.

The Treaty on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields signed in 1996 laid the first foundation for economic convergence. The treaty ensured the creation of a permanent executive organ to oversee integration of states that later would be part of the EAEU. It served as the blueprint for the future common market for goods, services, capital and labour.TheSingle Economic Spaceestablished asingle marketacross the territory ofBelarus,RussiaandKazakhstan.In 2015 with the entry into force of the EAEU Agreement, the single market was expanded to includeArmeniaandKyrgyzstan.The countries represent a market of some 180 million people and a combinedGDP PPPof around $5 trillion.

Eurasian Economic Union has thetenth-largest economyin the world by nominal GDP and thefifth-largestbypurchasing power parity. Since the turn of the century, member states have experienced economic growth with GDP averaging 6% to 8% growth between 2000 and 2007, rising again in 2010 after theFinancial crisis of 2007–08. Since the establishment of theEurasian Customs Unionin 2010, trade between member states rose sharply. In 2011 mutual trade was $63 billion, 33.9% more than in 2010. In 2012, mutual trade was $68 billion and combined exports reached $594 billion, while imports were $341 billion.The first integration stage primarily enhanced trade among member states, bolstered economies and created a legal and institutional foundation for the member states. The second stage includes the free movements of goods, people, services and capital.

The Eurasian Economic Union is designed to reach a number of macroeconomic objectives such as reducing commodity prices by reducing the cost of transportation ofraw materials,increasing return on new technologies and products due to the increased market volume, and promoting "healthy" competition in thecommon market.It is also designed to lower food prices, increase employment in industries and increase production capacity. EAEU members like Belarus and Kazakhstan (by itsNurly Zholeconomic policy) seek to leverage the EAEU as a bridge between the European Union and the New Silk Road economic belt.

The Eurasian Union is considered as a major player in the world's energy sector,raw materials,arms industryandagricultural production.In 2013 Russia was the 3rd most successful country in the world in attracting capital from abroad.

• 
  Saint Petersburg,the second-largest city and cultural capital ofRussia
• 
  Yerevan,the capital and financial hub ofArmenia
• 
  Business centre in central downtownAstana
• 
  Almaty,the major commercial and cultural centre ofKazakhstan
• 
  Bishkek,the capital and financial hub ofKyrgyzstan
• 
  Minsk,the capital ofBelarus

Customs Union and Four Economic Freedoms

Main articles:Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic UnionandEurasian Economic Space

TheEurasian Conformity markEAC.

The core objective of the Single Economic Space is the development of asingle marketand achieving the "four freedoms", namely the free movements of goods, capital, services and people within the single market. The four freedoms came into effect on 1 January 2015 (the day the Eurasian Economic Union was officially established). The free movement of people means that citizens can move freely among member states to live, work, study or retire.Citizens of the member states of the union may travel to other member states on aninternal passport.Although Russia also admits access to citizens of otherCISstates without a passport, it is expected that after 2015 only citizens of the Customs Union will have this privilege. Member states have acommon external tariffon all goods entering the market and unified methods of valuing imported goods since the creation of theEurasian Customs Unionon 1 January 2010. Objectives include joint coordination in the area of energy, industry, agriculture and transport.

Roughly 75% of Belarusian goods are exported, about half of which go to other member states.Trade within the union primarily consists of Belarusian machinery and agricultural products which are exported to Russia. Low gas prices from Russian energy producers are guaranteed to member states or countries wishing to join the union.

Coordinated, harmonized and single policy

Besides free movement of goods, services, capital and labour without a work permit ( "four economic freedoms" as in the European Union), the EAEU pursues coordinated, harmonized and single policy in the sectors determined by the Treaty and international agreements within the Union.

Competition

TheEurasian Economic Commissionoperates a competition policy to ensure equal competitive conditions in the commodity markets of the Single Economic Space. It also aims at harmonisation and improvement of legislation of each of the three countries in regard to competition policy. The commission serves as the competition regulator for the single market and is also responsible for antitrust issues. Special regulations limit state intervention in the economy.

Monetary union

The increased use of the national currencies of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and the creation of a single payment system can raise about a transition to a single currency for the union.

— Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Director of Financial Policy Department of the Eurasian Economic Commission,3 August 2014

Kazakhstani PresidentNursultan Nazarbayevhad first proposed, in 2009, the creation of a common noncash currency called "yevraz" for the Eurasian Economic Community. It would have reportedly helped insulate the countries from the global economic crisis.In 2012, the idea of the new joint currency found support from Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev and by 2014 proposals were drafted in Eurasian Commission documents for the establishment of a Eurasian Central Bank and a common currency to be called thealtynwhich is to be introduced by 2025.

When discussing the Eurasian Economic Union,Vladimir Putinsaid the Eurasian Economic Union would include closer coordination of economic and monetary policy, including the use of acommon currencyin the future.Although the creation of amonetary unionwas not envisaged in the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty, Russian Prime MinisterDmitry Medvedevcalled for the introduction of a common currency for the Eurasian Economic Union.Leonid Slutsky,head of the State Duma's CIS committee, backed Medvedev's proposal to start discussions on the creation of a monetary union. Slutsky said it could be introduced shortly after 2015, when the union's structure becomes clear. Belarusian president,Alexander Lukashenko,circulated the idea of creating a "neweuro"for the Eurasian economic bloc. In April 2014, discussions to introduce a single currency resumed.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister,Igor Shuvalov,stated on 24 July 2014 that the Eurasian Economic Union will have a common currency unit in a span of five to ten years.

Energy

The Eurasian Economic Union is seen as an energy superpower, producing about 20.7% of the world's natural gas, and 14.6% of the world's oil andgas condensatein 2012, making it the world's top producer in both domains. It is worth mentioning that these figures are mainly due to Russian Membership of EAEU, with Kazakhstan contributing 1.9% and 0.6% in gas and oil production respectively. Considerably small oil and gas reserved were discovered in Belarus while there are no such resources in Armenia. It also produces 9% of the world'selectrical energyand 5.9% of the world's coal, making it the third and fourth producer in the world, respectively. InKazakhstan,energy is the leading economic sector. The country holds about 4 billion tons of proven recoverable oil reserves and 2,000 cubic kilometers (480 cu mi) of gas. Kazakhstan is the world's 17th largestoil exporterand the world's 23rd largestnatural gas exporter.

Russiahas the world's largestnatural gas reserves,the 8th largestoil reserves,and the second largestcoal reserves.Russia is also the world's leading natural gas exporterand the second largestnatural gas producer,while also the largest oil exporter and the largestoil producer.While trade in oil and gas between resource-rich Russia and Kazakhstan is relatively low, the Belarus economy is heavily dependent on the access to the Russian hydrocarbons and – unlike the case with Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, Russia is Belarus's main trade partner accounting for 47% of all the trade. Belarus imports Russian crude oil (of which 45–50% were used for production of oil products to export) and natural gas (which were not directly re-exported) for the prices below the market ones, paying $173 for 1000 cubic meters of gas (for comparison – $250 for Armenia, $430 for Ukraine).

By 2019, Russia, Kazakhstan,BelarusandArmeniaintend to create a common electricity market as well as a singlehydrocarbonsmarket by 2025. "With the creation of a single hydrocarbons market, we will have a deeper coordination that will allow us to be more competitive both in terms of pricing and in terms of getting high value added products in this very interesting and important market", stated Eurasian CommissionerDaniyal Akhmetov.

Infrastructure

TheTrans-Siberian Railwayis a vital link between the Russian Far East and the rest of Eurasia.

The major economic centres areMoscow,MinskandAstana.The distance between Moscow and Minsk is 717 kilometers, and the distance between Moscow and Astana is 2700 kilometers, making infrastructure a key challenge for the integration of member states. Major infrastructure projects began during the 2000s in order to modernise and connect the regional bloc to other markets, facilitating both integration and trade in the region. In 2007 Moscow announced it will invest US$1 trillion by 2020 to modernise the country's infrastructure.

Kazakhstanranks favorably in terms of kilometres of road per inhabitant as other developed countries in the world have much less roadway per inhabitant.

Railways have been the primary way of linking countries in the Eurasian Economic Union since the 19th century. It has always been the main way of transport in theRussian Empireand theSoviet Unionup until today. The union ranks 2nd in the world in terms of railway trackage (about 7.8% of the world's share). However it is still looking to improve cross-border trade within the union.

TheEurasian Development Bankhas pledged to help in the construction of facilities to produce new generation freight cars and freight containers inTikhvin,Russiaand inOsipovichi,Belarusto respond to the increasing demand for rail transport. Projects have also been launched in Kazakhstan, as the landlocked country is highly dependent on railways for trade.

The most renowned railway in the union is theTrans-Siberian Railwaywhich links theRussian Far Eastto Moscow. The Southern route also travels via Kazakhstan.

The EAEU members cooperate with China'sDigital Silk Roadand have incorporated Chinese technologies into their digital infrastructure.

TheTurkestan–Siberia Railwayconnects the Central Asian republics toSiberia.

Single Eurasian Sky

The Single Eurasian Sky programme, administered by theEurasian Economic Commission,outlines the creation of a single market for air services and a singleair traffic zone.The single air traffic zone would make it easier for airlines to draw up new flight paths, thereby increasing the number of flights flying through the region. Eurasian Commissioner,Daniyal Akhmetov,said that it would be created on a step-by-step basis.In June 2014, Belarusian AirlineBelaviastated that it was ready to move towards the development of the Single Eurasian Sky. The terms and conditions of operation in the common aviation market have not yet been agreed on. However, the project is likely to be modelled on the European Union'sSingle European Sky.The project will reportedly help turn the airspace of the Eurasian Union into a popular transit hub between Europe and Southeast Asia. "We should understand that currently, the aviation companies of Kazakhstan and Belarus are not able to compete with Russia's aviation companies. Therefore, the programme will envisage a phasing, creating a competitive environment and so on", Eurasian Commissioner Akhmetov said.

Agriculture

A Rye FieldbyIvan Shishkin

The Eurasian Economic Union is the top producer ofsugar beetandsunflower,producing 18.6% of the world's sugar beet and 22.7% of the world's sunflowers in 2012, as well as a top producer ofrye,barley,buckwheat,oatsandsunflower seed.It is also a large producer ofpotatoes,wheatandgrain(and grain legumes).

Part of the competences of theEurasian Economic Commissionare agriculture subsidies. It is responsible for the coordination of agricultural policy-making between member states and ensuring collective food security. TheEurasian Development Bankfinances projects to further integration and develop agriculture. It has disbursed approximately US$470 million for projects between 2008 and 2013.

Projected economic impact

Past and projected GDP (nominal) per capita in EAEU countries.

Member states remain optimistic of the union and key partners in the region, namelyChina,Iran,Turkeyremain interested in it. A common belief is that the Eurasian Economic Union has significant potential over the next two decades, with experts predicting a 25 percent growth in the member states' GDP by 2030, which equates to over US$600 billion.The agreement will give member state citizens access to employment and education across the union. It will also entail collaborative policies in many sectors, including agriculture, energy, technology and transportation.These collaborative policies are particularly interesting for countries inAsiaseeking access to energy, trade routes in Central Asia and Siberia, and agricultural goods.

Former presidentDmitry Medvedevof Russia stated that both the positive and negative experiences of theEuropean Unionwill be taken into account and argued that the Eurasian Union will avoid the problems of economic gaps and disparity between countries,such as those found in theeurozone,since the member countries have a comparable level of economic development, as well as common history and values.

TheEuropean Unionand theUnited Statesas well as other western countries remain critical of the Eurasian Economic Union, with analysts stating that without modernisation and real economic reforms, the union will have little impact.The popular magazineThe Economiststated that the advantages of joining the union remain unclearand further remarked "The agreement was vague, with technical details left unresolved, making it a political show rather than an economic one".Outlets have also stated that withoutUkraine,the Eurasian Economic Union has lost a key member state necessary to the success of the union. Bloomberg's business magazine,Businessweekhas affirmed that joining Putin's Eurasian Union looks like a bad deal, including for Russia. The union "won't really register on the radar of the global economy," said an analyst at the EU's Institute for Security Studies in Paris.Moreover, oneresearchstates that so far EAEU was not able to contribute to economic growth in Armenia – quite the contrary, it significantly slowed the economic performance of the country.

Pivot to Asia

The union is actively seeking to increase trade withEast Asia.It commenced talks for official trade cooperation withASEAN.Officials of both unions discussed opportunities for developing cooperation between them. The South Korean president launched a "Eurasian Initiative", which seeks to connect transportation, electrical, gas and oil links from Western Europe to East Asia.The initiative echoesChina's long-standing "New Silk Road"project. The members of the union agreed to step up talks withVietnamon creating afree trade zone,to strengthen cooperation with China, including in information exchange on goods and services, and to set up expert groups to develop preferential trade regimes withIsraelandIndia.

Russia

On 21 May 2014,RussiaandChinasigned a $400 billion gas deal. Starting 2019, Russia plans to providenatural gasto China for the next 30 years.

TheEuropean Council on Foreign Relationsand analysts suggest the Eurasian Union includes strategic interests as well as economic interests for its member states, especially Russia. In order to link both Europe and East Asia, Russia seeks to develop its eastern regions to increase its access to Asian markets.Russia's Far Easthas gained even more importance due to its proximity to alternative markets since theEuropean UnionandUnited Statesimposedsanctions on Russia following the crisis in Ukraine.

China's rise as a major trading partner has been cited as a potential reason for Russia's loss of control over Central Asian economies. The union is seen as a way to counterbalance China's growing trade inCentral Asiaand theEuropean Union's Eastern Partnership.

As the trade bloc seeks to profit from the growing economies of East Asia, Russia has made steps to develop its eastern territories,Siberiaand the Russian Far East.However, the development of the Russian Far East may face difficulties due to Russia's traditional orientation towards Europe and the region's backward infrastructure and underdeveloped economy.In 2012 Russian PresidentVladimir Putincalled for Russia to "catch the Chinese wind in the sails of the Russian economy".During the same year, a Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East was established and the country hosted a summit of theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperationforum (APEC) in its eastern city ofVladivostok.The country also began striking deals and undertook massive efforts to improve infrastructure in its eastern territories. Russia's pivot to Asia included the important task of creating a Eurasian trade bloc. The countries seek to increase their competitiveness by sustaining domestic development and defending their interests in the region. An estimated 76% of Russia's exports depend on resources extracted (or manufactured) in Siberia. In order to transport goods from East Asia to Europe, they must be transported through Siberia by rail. Hence, the region plays an important role in trade. However, it remains less developed than Russia's western regions and modernisation plans are ongoing.

In 2013 the Russian government announced it would spend 450 billion roubles (US$14 billion) for the modernisation of theTrans-SiberianandBaikal-Amurrailways. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Trans-Siberian railway the country's "strategically vital transport artery". In July 2013 he stated "Rail freight traffic to our Far East ports has increased by 55 percent over the last 5 years and now comes to around 110 million tons a year". Projects to upgrade stations at the border with Mongolia, China and North Korea were also undertaken the same year.

In 2016, Putin calls on Eurasian Economic Union, China, India, Pakistan, Iran and the CIS to join "Greater Eurasian Partnership".

Some experts also see the union as a way to curtail the loss of Russian influence in Central Asia.Russian politicians have voiced their concerns over Russia's long southern borders and the challenges it may pose. By creating a regional trade bloc to keep its neighbours in Central Asia stable, Russia hopes to find securing its own borders easier.

Kazakhstan

Neighbouring Kazakhstan has replicated Russia's attempt to access East Asian markets. In September 2013, the presidents of China and Kazakhstan signed commercial deals and launched China's "New Silk Road". On 20 May 2014, both presidents announced they would link Kazakhstan's railways to thePacific Oceanby opening a new terminal in the Chinese port city ofLianyungang.China also signed agreements to make further investments in Kazakhstan's energy sector. Both countries announced they would put aside US$1 billion to modernise an oil refinery inShymkentand a further US$150 million to open a new oil and gas plant nearAlmaty. The president of Kazakhstan also held talks with the heads of Chinese corporations and agreed to cooperate in the areas ofaircraft production,telecommunicationandmining.

Third-country economic relationships

The Union has signed a first free trade agreementwith Vietnam, which is planned to enter into force in October 2016 following the ratification by all the parties.

Having completed a free trade agreement (FTA) feasibility study for Vietnam in November 2012the then Customs Union, which later became the EAEU, decided to proceed with negotiations. The negotiations over the FTA began in early 2013 and lasted approximately two years – on 29 May 2015 the agreement was signed by Prime Ministers of all the parties to be later ratified by the parties. Trade between Vietnam and the Customs Union in 2011 was US$2.24 billion.

Russia's economic development minister stated that the Turkish economic minister,Nihat Zeybekci,put forward an initiative for closer cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union, including the formation of afree trade zonebetween the union andTurkey.

As announced by Russian Deputy Prime MinisterArkady Dvorkovichon 9 December 2013,Israelis considering starting free trade negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union.The feasibility study was conducted between the two parties and the decision was made to proceed with free trade negotiations, which are expected to start before the end of 2016. Experts believe the negotiations will take around 2 to 3 years to finish.

Russian PresidentVladimir Putinstated at a July 2014 meeting of ambassadors and permanent representatives of theRussian Federationthat he was ready to discuss a free trade area between theEuropean Unionand the Eurasian Economic Union.

In February 2015,EgyptianpresidentAbdel Fattah al-Sisiannounced his country would sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Union.The preliminary feasibility study has been conducted and the decision to launch negotiation process is expected to be made before the end of 2016.

There have been discussions on free trade negotiations with over 30 countries, some of them resulting in the preliminary feasibility studies. Such feasibility studies have been conducted with India and the Republic of Korea.

In May 2015, the Union gave the initial go-ahead to signing a free trade agreement withIran.Described as the EAEU's "key partner in theMiddle East"byAndrey Slepnev,Minister for trade on the Eurasian Economic Commission board in an expert-level EAEU meeting inYerevan,Viktor Khristenkofurthermore noted that Iran is an important partner for all the EAEU member states. He stated that "Cooperation between the EAEU and Iran is an important area of our work in strengthening the economic stability of the region".In December 2015 a "temporary Agreement" was signed between Iran and the EAEU, which Commissioner Andrey Slepnev characterized as the "first step toward the materialization of free trade between Iran and the Union".

One of the key initiatives in the field of free trade and economic cooperation is the proposal on "linking" the Eurasian economic integration and China's strategic "Silk Road Economic Belt"project. The relevant communique was signed by Russia'sVladimir Putinand China'sXi Jinpingon 8 March 2015.While the "linking" mostly is understood as support for infrastructure investments, there are ongoing negotiations between the EAEU and China on a "trade and economic agreement" in order to build "an open economic architecture without a political component, oriented on business and reducing barriers".

As of 2023, Negotiations are also well underway with Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Negotiations with Iran and Egypt are almost finalized. The EEC is also preparing to revise its current agreement with China. The current, non-preferential agreement entered into force in October 2019 and does not provide any reduction in duties.

Third-country EAEU Agreements

Free trade agreements of EEU. Red – EEU. Green – Countries that have FTA with EEU.

After January 1, 2015, the members of the EAEU do not have the right to independently conclude a free tradein goodsagreements because they delegated their powers to the supranational level according to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (Article 35).

According to the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the EAEU has signed bilateral (one of the parties is the "Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States" ) agreements with

• Vietnam(signed on May 29, 2015, entered into force on October 5, 2016and this Free Trade Agreement & Economic Integration Agreement covers trade in goods and trade in services)
• Iran(the Interim Agreement was signed on May 17, 2018, and came into force on October 27, 2019and this Free Trade Agreement covers trade in goods.) Full FTA signed on 25 December 2023.
• China(signed on May 17, 2018, entered into force on October 25, 2019and this Agreement is not a free trade agreement at all since it does not provide any reduction in duties,but it creates a legal framework for trade and economic cooperation between the Union as a whole and China and on issues of customs cooperation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, trade protection measures, issues of electronic commerce, intellectual property, competition and public procurement, as well as sectoral cooperation)
• Serbia(signed on October 25, 2019, and entered into force on July 10, 2021and this Free Trade Agreement covers trade in goods)
• Singapore(the EAEU-Singapore Framework Agreement and the EAEU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement were signed On October 1, 2019)

Officially, agreements with Egypt, India,Indonesia, Iran, Israeland the UAE are under development and the possibility of starting negotiations with Mongolia is being studied.

Pre-2015 free trade in goods agreements

Main articles:List of bilateral free trade agreements,Commonwealth of Independent States Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area,andCommonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area

The1994 CIS FTA Agreementsignatories (all 12 countries). As of 2023, multilateral free trade regime under the 1999 Protocol has entered into force for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine while Russia and Turkmenistan refused to participate.

The 2011Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade AreaamongRussia,Ukraine,Belarus,Uzbekistan,Moldova,Armenia,Kyrgyzstan,KazakhstanandTajikistan.

Although the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union have delegated their powers to conclude free tradein goodsagreements to the supranational level according to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (Article 35),the previous agreements with third countries concluded before 1 January 2015 continue to be in force (Article 102).According to the Article 102: "Member States have the right to unilaterally grant preferences in trade with a third party on the basis of an international agreement concluded by January 1, 2015 of this Member State with such a third party or an international agreement to which all Member States are parties."Thus, agreements such as those within the Commonwealth of Independent States (the terms of the CIS FTA allow member states to enter into the FTA agreements with other countries, as well as to join/create custom unions.) and bilateral agreements that do not regulate relations with third countries remain in force for their parties.

The1994 CIS FTA Agreement,1999 CIS FTA Protocol (multilateral free trade is in force among 10 countries) and2011 CIS FTA Treaty(multilateral free trade is in force among 9 countries) have signed by all members of the EAEU. The multilateral free trade regime under the 1999 Protocol is not applied by Russia at all. As of 2023, the Protocol has entered into force for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine and 1 reservation was made by Azerbaijan on non-application in relation to Armenia and 2 specific opinions were expressed by Georgia and Ukraine.

2011Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Areawas negotiated before the establishment of the EEU on 1 January 2015. The CISFTA treaty came into force at different dates for every state. The treaty came into force in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia at different dates between September and December 2012. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan applied the treaty starting 13 December 2013. In force since 2012, the 2011 multilateral CIS Free Trade Zone Treaty establishesa free trade areabetween Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia (now all EAEU member states), as well as Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Tajikistan. Russia has suspended the Agreement with respect to Ukraine from 1 January 2016, following the provisional application of theDCFTAbetween theEuropean Union and Ukraine.Ukraine did the same thing on January 2 with regard to Russia.

Thus, in addition to all previous multilateral agreements, the following agreements apply on a bilateral basis according to the article 102. Bilateral free trade agreements with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Serbia and Montenegro are in force in Russia.Bilateral free trade agreement with Turkmenistan is in force in Belarus.Bilateral free trade agreement with Turkmenistan is in force in Armenia.

Cooperation, Trade in Services and Investment Agreements

Eurasian Economic Union stamp

The members of the EAEU may conclude an agreement oninvestment and trade in serviceswithout the consent of EAEU supranational bodies, since these powers have not been transferred to a supranational level, however according to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (Article 35), an international treaty of the EAEU with a third party establishing a free trade regime may include other provisions related to foreign trade activities(i.e. Cooperation, Trade in Services and Investment). All Members of the Union retains autonomy (i.e., national competence) in matters of concluding agreements on free trade in services and investments. The process of concluding such agreements with third countries is carried out independently of the partners in the Union. The only condition prescribed in the Treaty on the EAEU is the obligation to provide to the Member States of the EAEU the same concessions, which are granted to the partner (partners) under that agreement (Article 38 of the Treaty and section 6 of Annex No. 16 to the Treaty).

The 2015 EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement & Economic Integration Agreement covers trade in goods and trade in services.

TheArmenia–EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreementwas signed by Armenia and allEU member stateson 24 November 2017.

Russia has concluded 82 agreements on mutual protection of investments and investment promotion, including agreements with Cambodia, Iran, Morocco and the State of Palestine, which were signed after January 1, 2015. 65 agreements have entered into force.

On 8 June 2023, in Sochi, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed theCommonwealth of Independent States Agreement on Free Trade in Services, Establishment, Operations and Investmentto partly integrate Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on the common standards of the WTO (General Agreement on Trade in Services) and the EAEU even without their membership in the WTO (Uzbekistan) or the EAEU (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan).Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have not decided to join the EAEU, but bringing country's legislation to the EAEU common standards can be considered as the first step.

The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Moscow said that the UAE is striving for a free trade agreement by the end of 2023 with the EAEU to include provisions on trade in services and investment.

Unilateral preferences for economic assistance

The EAEU has the Common System of Tariff Preferences for approved goods from 29 developing and 48least-developed countries.As of March 5, 2021, they areAlgeria,Bolivia,Vanuatu,Venezuela,Ghana,Honduras,Egypt,Zimbabwe,Iran,Cabo Verde,Cameroon,Kenya,Republic of the Congo,Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,Côte d'Ivoire,Cuba,Morocco,the Marshall Islands,Federal States of Micronesia,Mongolia,Nigeria,Nicaragua,Pakistan,Papua New Guinea,Tunisia,the Philippines,Sri Lanka,El Salvador,Eswatinion the 1 list andAngola,Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,Bangladesh,Benin,Burkina Faso,Burundi,Bhutan,Haiti,Gambia,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Djibouti,Zambia,Yemen,Cambodia,Kiribati,Union of the Comoros,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Lao People’s Democratic Republic,Lesotho,Liberia,Mauritania,Madagascar,Malawi,Mali,Mozambique,Myanmar,Nepal,Republic of the Niger,Palestine(according to theUnited Nations General Assembly Resolution 43/177),Rwanda,Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe,Senegal,Syrian Arab Republic,Solomon Islands,Federal Republic of Somalia,Sudan,Sierra Leone,Tanzania,Timor-Leste,Togolese Republic,Tuvalu,Uganda,Central African Republic,Chad,Eritrea,Ethiopia,South Sudanon the 2nd list.

The system of tariff preferences is aimed at promoting the economic growth of countries that objectively need economic assistance from the Union. In 2021, a decision was published to exclude 75 developing countries and 2 least developed countries from the lists, but at the same time, the status of the beneficiary country of the common system of tariff preferences of the EAEU is preserved for states in need of economic assistance from the EAEU.The first list of countries was approved in 2009 and did not change dramatically until 2021. As of May 2020, there were 153 countries in it, including Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, China and South Korea. The list was revised in 2021 so that there would be no injustice when lower-income countries provide tariff preferences to high-income countries. A country can obtain for tariff preferences if its income level isdeterminedby theWorld Bankas "low-income" or "lower-middle-income", that is, the gross national income per capita in such a country is less than $4,045.The import duties applicable to products eligible for tariff preferences and originating from developing countries were at the level of 75% of theMost favoured nationduty rates and from least-developed countries at the level of 0%.

At the same time, the members of the Union themselves are recipients of tariff preferences. Kyrgyzstan was granted preferences from Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.Armenia was granted preferences from Canada, the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.Belarus was granted preferences from Japan, Norway and Switzerland.Kazakhstan was granted preferences from Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.In 2013, theWorld Bankannounced that Russia had graduated to ahigh-income economybased on the results of 2012but in 2016 it was reclassified as anupper-middle income economydue to changes in the exchange rate of the Russian ruble, which is afloating currency.Thus, Russia does not have these preferences.

International cooperation and interaction

International cooperation and interaction with third countries, other integration associations and international organizationscan happen under legal framework for international cooperation, including the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union, Procedure for the EAEU International Cooperation, Main Directions of the EAEU International Activities, Regulation on the Procedure for Admission of New Members to the EAEU and Termination of Membership in the EAEU, Regulation on the Observer State Status at the EAEU and Strategic Directions for Developing the Eurasian Economic Integration.

According to the commission's website, over the years memoranda, events and statements have been adopted with third countries and international organizations, including the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China,United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD),United Nations Economic Commission for Europe,Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Ecuador, International Trade Center,MERCOSUR,andOECD.

The commission's website has published information and news on international cooperation (documents, memoranda, visits, summits, events, conferences, negotiations with officials, representatives and ambassadors, etc.)with dozens states (namely Austria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Guatemala, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Iran, Spain, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Kenya, China, Colombia, Cuba, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Morocco, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, New Zealand, UAE, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, USA, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Faroe Islands, Philippines, France, Czechia, Chile, Ethiopia) and dozens regional associations and international organizations (Andean Community, ASEAN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, BRICS, African Union, East African Community, Dialogue on Cooperation in Asia, European Union, Latin American Economic System (SELA), MERCOSUR, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Subsystem for economic integration in Central America, CICA, CIS, Union State of Russia and Belarus, Pacific Alliance, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Economic Community of Central African States (ESCA), ECOSOC, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNCTAD). According to the commission's website, for the purpose of forming favorable conditions for the development of interaction with the EAEU and as the first step to institutionalize cooperation, it has become a practice in the EEC to conclude memoranda of cooperation (third countries, regional integration associations and international organizations). Broad cooperation in the format of memoranda of cooperation is established with the governments of Bangladesh, Jordan, Indonesia, Cambodia, Cuba, Morocco, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Singapore, Thailand, the Faroe Islands and Chile, as well as with the Andean Community, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union, the Pacific Alliance, the Latin American Economic System (SELA) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). The EEC interacts with the Government of Greece in the format of a joint declaration.

There are various formats of interaction between third states and the Eurasian Economic Union. One of the simplest formats is obtaining the observer status at the Union. The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the highest supranational body of the Eurasian Economic Union, granted observer state status to the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Cuba and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Foreign affairs

The Eurasian Economic Union mainly uses itsarms industry,raw materials,gas and oil reserves,and railwaysas its key assets for trade with foreign countries.

Although Russia is the only member of the Eurasian Economic Union under sanctions from the West, other members of the Eurasian Economic Union have repeatedly used the bloc as a platform to articulate their opposition to sanctions and trade wars.

Economic partners

The Eurasian Economic Union must negotiate as a whole to sign free trade agreements with other countries. Key players for the Eurasian Economic Union are theEuropean Union,Turkey,Iran,Chinaand theKorean peninsula.The EAEU has sought to increase its trade with partners in theMiddle EastandEast Asiain order to profit from the growing trade between Europe and Asia.

Because of disagreements with the Eurasian Economic Union's largest member, Russia, the European Union does not officially recognize the Eurasian Eocnomic Union.Tensions with the European Union in 2014 have led both unions to pressurepost-Soviet statesto join their integration unions. Both sides have accused each other of carving spheres of influence.Members of the union, especially Russia have tried to diversify their trade by signing economic agreements with China,Iranand Turkey.Trade with North and South Korea has also risen.

A rising China has been increasingly interested in Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union.Analysts see the union as a potential way China could facilitate its investments in the region.Historically, China held close economic ties with many countries throughoutEurasia.Under theHan Dynasty,its trade routes extended to theRoman Empire.TheEconomy of the Han Dynastyand other subsequent dynasties exchanged numerous goods with countries throughout Europe and Asia. Both China and the union have stated they would benefit from recreating trade routes modelled on the historicSilk Road.

Railways transport goods from China to the European Union through Kazakhstan and Russia. The country has pushed for the construction of more railway lines to connectBerlinto east China to reduce shipping time. It proposed major high-speed railway lines going towards Europe via Russia and Kazakhstan and another through the Middle East viaTajikistan,a potential future member for the union.China has signed numerous energy deals with Russia and Kazakhstan, as it tries to move fromcoalto less pollutant alternatives.

Iran has sought to diversify its economy as well, seeing the EAEU and China as key economic partners. Relations between Russia and Iran have increased as both countries are under U.S. sanctions and are seeking new trade partners. in 2014 the two countries signed a historic US$20 billion energy deal.A free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union came into force on 27 October 2019.

Kazakhstan seeks to enhance its ties with Turkey, a key player in the region. In July 2014, Turkey announced closer economic ties with the EAEU, including a possible free trade agreement in the near future.

Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijani PresidentIlham Aliyev,Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevand Armenian PresidentSerzh Sargsyanhold peace talks inMoscowon 2 November 2008.

In September 2013, Armenia announced its intentions of joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. At the time of joining the Union, the Republic of Armenia already had preferential treatment within the framework of the CIS as a party to the Free Trade Zone Agreement of 18 October 2011, and therefore enjoyed significant tariff benefits. According to an IMF representative in Armenia, Armenia's membership to the Eurasian Economic Union resulted in about $250 million a year in customs revenue. Armenia also benefited in the form of secured privileges for 752 products until 2020, which implies no EAEU tariffs due to Union membership.Joining the Union allowed the country to get even more tangible economic effects due to the functioning of the Common Economic Space, the use of common technical regulation, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, non-tariff regulation. Such results confirm that for the implementation of full-scale freedom of movement of goods, liberalization of tariff regulation alone is not enough.The region ofNagorno-Karabakh,however, is disputed betweenArmeniaandAzerbaijan.Tensions rose further in theCaucasusregion on 30 July 2014 due to clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers.

Experts estimate that with the accession of Armenia, the internationally unrecognisedNagorno-Karabakh Republicwould not be integrated into the Eurasian Union.Armenia is a permanent political, military and economic ally of Russia, whereas Azerbaijan holds close ties with Armenia's long-standing enemy Turkey. The Kazakh PresidentNursultan Nazarbayevexpressed concern in 2013 that no reliable customs border between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh could be drawn. However, Nazarbayev expressed that he holds all the existing disagreements preventing Armenia's integration into Eurasian Economic Union are surmountable.The Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Armenian Parliament,Artak Zakarian,announced on 14 May 2014 that Armenia will not build any customs borders, including with the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to Eurasian Economic Commission statistics, Eurasian Economic Union countries experienced a 1.9% GDP increase between January–June 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. Armenia had the greatest GDP growth index throughout the reporting period – 8.3%. The EEU's industrial output increased by 3.3%, with reprocessing industry increasing by 62.7% and mining increasing by 27.9%. Again, Armenia had the largest growth in industrial production – 9.6% – despite a 12.7% fall in mining.

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan

Previously,Tajikistanwas on track to become a potential member of the union, having signed the treaty on the Eurasian Customs Union and the Single Economic Space. However, due to border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the integration process in Tajikistan has stalled.Both countries exchanged fire in December 2013 and August 2014, which resulted in casualties.Both countries have since announced they would resolve conflicts and improve border cooperation. Officials hope to make significant progress by the end of 2015.In March 2020, Uzbekistan announced that it wished to become a Eurasian Union observer state.

International response

Former President of the European CommissionJosé Manuel Barrosostated at theWorld Economic Forumthat the EU supports the regional integration, including the Eurasian Union. He also praised Kazakhstan for joining the bloc. He criticized the post-Soviet space, saying "the integration in the region is not sufficient". However, he warned that theRusso-Ukrainian Waris a major obstacle to good cooperation between the EU and the Eurasian Union.

Tensions between the EAEU and theEuropean Union(EU) occurred as both have sought to deepen their ties with severalformer Soviet republics.The EU has signed free trade agreements withUkraine,MoldovaandGeorgia.However, separatists in all three countries back closer ties withRussia.Ukraine planned to sign anEU association agreementin 2013, but abruptly cancelled the signing under Russian pressure to join the EAEU. This led tomass protestsagainst Ukraine's president,with the EU supporting afailed political settlementbefore president Yanukovych fled to Russia,and Russia thenannexingtheCrimean peninsula(following adisputed referendum) and supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine.In response, some member states of the European Union have sought to find alternatives to Russian gas, while others have voiced their support for the construction of theSouth Streampipeline which circumvents Ukraine. Later the already started construction of the pipeline, under US sanctions on Russia and pressure on EU, the project was abandoned. Analysts believe Russia backs the Eurasian Economic Union in order to limit western influence in the region.

Western analysts generally see the Eurasian Economic Union as a way to reunite many of the former Soviet republics. For example,Washington Postauthor Abigail Hauslohner wrote the treaty was intended "to further bolster [Russia]'s ties to former Soviet republics."The United States expressed its opposition to the Eurasian Union, claiming it is "an attempt" to re-establish aUSSR-type union among the former Soviet republics.In December 2012, formerSecretary of StateHillary Clintonclaimed "It's not going to be called that [Soviet Union]. It's going to be called customs union, it will be called the Eurasian Union and all of that, but let's make no mistake about it. We know what the goal is and we are trying to figure out effective ways to slow down or prevent it".

Kazakhstan's presidentNursultan Nazarbayevcalled it "a hard-won achievement" and "a blessing for our people."Public support in Kazakhstan for the country's accession to the EAEU stood at 68% in June 2014, with 5.5% opposed.

Thailand,Iran,New Zealand,Tunisia,Turkey,andVietnamare among the countries that expressed a desire to conclude trade agreements with the new Eurasian Economic Union after the treaty was signed.In 2018, theFaroe Islandssigned a new memorandum of understanding with the EEU. The MoU is designed to boost trade and cooperation between the two sides.

Existing integration projects

A clickableEuler diagramshowing the relationships among various supranational organisations in the territory of the former Soviet Unionv•d•e

TheEurasian Customs Unionhas already brought partial economic integration between the three states, and the Eurasian Economic Union is said to be a continuation of this customs union.However, the impact or legacy of that agreement is unclear– trade between the three states actually fell 13% during the agreement's first year.

A number of other regional organisations also provide the basis for further integration: theUnion Stateof Russia and Belarus; theCollective Security Treaty Organisation,consisting of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan; and theCommonwealth of Independent Statescomprising most of the post-Soviet countries.

Geography

Strusta Lakein theVitebsk Region,Belarus,is the sixteenth largest lake in Belarus and the third largest among theBraslau Lakes.

TheKhan TengriPeak above NorthEngilchek Glacier,Kazakhstan

The Eurasian Economic Union is located at the eastern end ofEurope,bounded by theArcticin the north, thePacific Oceanto the east andEast Asia,theMiddle Eastand part ofCentral Asiato the south. It lies between latitudes39°and82°Nand longitudes19°Eand169°W.The union extends across much of northernEurasia.Its member states cover an area of over 20,000,000 square kilometers, which is approximately 15% of the world's land surface.

TheEastern European PlainencompassesBelarusand most ofEuropean Russia.The plain is mostly mountain-free and comprises severalplateaus.Russia's northernmost regions aretundra.The Russian Tundra is located on the coastline with theArcticand is known for its total darkness in the winter.Taigareaches Russia's southern borders inSiberiaand accounts for 60% of the country.Towards theUral Mountainsand in northernKazakhstan,the climate is mostly temperate. Southwestern Russia and Kazakhstan are mostlysteppe.TheKazakh steppecovers one-third of Kazakhstan and is the world's largest dry steppe region.Armeniais mostly mountainous and its climate is continental. The landlocked country shares no direct border with other members states. It is located in the southwestern part of Asia, occupying the northeastern part of theArmenian Plateau,and is located between theCaucasusand theNear East.

A large number of lakes and rivers are found in the Eurasian Economic Union.Major lakes includeLadogaandOnega,two of thelargest lakes in Europe.The largest and most prominent of the union's bodies of fresh water isLake Baikal,the world's deepest, purest, oldest and most capacious fresh water lake.The Baikal lake alone contains over one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. Russia is second only to Brazil in volume of thetotal renewable water resources.Of the union's numerous rivers,theVolgais the most famous, not only because it is thelongest in Europe,but also because of its major role in history. In Siberia theOb,Yenisey,LenaandAmurare among thelongest rivers in the world.

The Eurasian Economic Union's highest peak is theKhan Tengriin theTian Shanmountains, Kazakhstan, 7,010 m above sea level. The lowest point in the Eurasian Economic Union is theKaragiye Depressionin Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's Caspian shore includes some of the lowest elevations on Earth. According to a 2005 estimate by the United Nations, forests cover 40% ofBelarus.11,000 lakes and many water streams are found in the country.Russia is known for its extensive mineral and energy resources, the largest reserves in the world, making it the world's largest producer ofoilandnatural gas.

According to estimates, the Eurasian Economic Union's population of 176 million people is mostly urbanized, with Russia and Belarus having over 70% of their population living in urban areas. In Armenia over 64% of the population lives in urban areas. Kazakhstan's urban population comprises 54% of the country's total population.

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  Mount Elbrus–Russia
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  Mountain range –Armenia
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  Lama River– in theMoscow region of Russia
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  Sharyn Canyon–Kazakhstan
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  On the southern shore ofIssyk-Kullake,Issyk-Kul Region–Kyrgyzstan
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  Winter –Belarus
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  A view ofMount AragatsfromAragatsotn–Armenia
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  A view of MountMönkh Saridag–Okinsky District,Russia
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  Lake Ayger–Armenia
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  Lake Servech –Belarus
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  Winter in theAltai Krai–Russia
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  Tian Shanmountain range –Kyrgyzstan

Demographics

The combined population of all member states is 183,319,693 as of 2015.

Largest cities or towns in Eurasian Union Russia (2021 Census),Kazakhstan (2022, stat.gov.kz),Belarus (2021, belstat.gov.by)
	Rank		Member state	Pop.
Moscow Saint Petersburg	1	Moscow	Russia	13,010,112	Almaty Minsk
	2	Saint Petersburg	Russia	5,601,911
	3	Almaty	Kazakhstan	2,156,749
	4	Minsk	Belarus	1,995,471
	5	Novosibirsk	Russia	1,633,595
	6	Yekaterinburg	Russia	1,544,376
	7	Astana	Kazakhstan	1,350,228
	8	Kazan	Russia	1,308,660
	9	Nizhny Novgorod	Russia	1,228,199
	10	Shymkent	Kazakhstan	1,189,209

Countries with population larger than Eurasian Economic Union in 2018

The Eurasian Economic Union has 17 cities with more than 1 million inhabitants, the largest beingMoscow.The most densely populated areas are the capital cities of member states andEuropean Russia.Siberiais the region with the least inhabitants. InRussiaabout 160 different ethnic groups and indigenous peoples live within the country's borders.KazakhstanandBelarusare home to sizable ethnic Russian minorities. Though the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union's populations are comparatively large,its density is lowbecause of the enormous size of Russia and Kazakhstan. The Eurasian Economic Union's average birth rate in 2010 was roughly 12.5 births per 1000 people, higher than theEuropean Union,which has an average of 9.90 births per 1000 people.

See also

• ASEAN
• Collective Security Treaty Organization
• Comecon
• Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations
• Enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union
• Eurasian Economic Community
• Eurasian Patent Convention
• Eurasian Patent Organisation
• Eurasianism
• Soviet Union
• New Union Treaty
• Union State
• Warsaw Pact
• List of multilateral free-trade agreements

External links

• Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)
• Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC)
• Legal portal of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)