«Uzbekistan would benefit from joining the EAEU, this issue is being actively discussed,» Ilkhom Nematov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, told RIA Novosti.
According to him, the issue is being currently carefully studied. At the same time, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan said that he personally was for joining the EAEU.
«The economy, industry, agriculture of Uzbekistan is growing. Exports are increasing. We need a market, space. Where is it? This space is in Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, I will directly say — I am for participation, exclusively on the basis of economic interests ... Another important factor is demography. The population is growing; it increases by 700,000 people every year. Naturally, we cannot proportionally provide work for 700,000. What does this lead to? To migration. And where will our people migrate to? To Russia, Kazakhstan. This factor also determines the maintenance of close ties between Uzbekistan and the EAEU. There are other conditions for member countries, migrants. Therefore, I believe, based on these conditions, we must make a decision,» Ilkhom Nematov stressed.
According to him, negotiations on this issue could be completed in the near future.
