«We are all convinced that closer integration will allow our countries to become economically stronger and significantly reduce their dependence on external, including political, conditions,» the President of Russia Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.
According to him, life itself dictates the need to create a truly barrier-free, single market in the EAEU space. Advantages of the integration course are especially obvious in a difficult international situation.
«At the initiative of Russia, the Eurasian «Five» adopted a number of urgent anti-crisis measures aimed at minimizing the consequences of sanctions, increasing the stability of our economies, strengthening macroeconomic stability, and helping entrepreneurs and citizens of our states. The Eurasian Economic Commission approved more than 30 anti-crisis decisions, and this, of course, gives an effect,» Vladimir Putin said.
In the field of customs regulation, three packages of measures have been approved since March 2022 on zeroing duties on more than 1,600 critical import commodity items. As a result, importers can save about $800 million over the next six months. In addition, the requirements of the union’s technical regulations have been adjusted. To hold down the prices, the EEC raised the thresholds for duty-free import of goods for personal use to €1,000. Steps are being taken for import substitution and further deepening of industrial cooperation between the EAEU countries in strategic sectors, including civil aircraft manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
«I believe it is important to pay special attention to food security issues. You know that the world is in a difficult situation. Our states are making a serious contribution to the solution of these problems, and Russia and other members of our organization are behaving with the highest degree of responsibility. Today, our five countries, through their own production, fully cover domestic needs for key types of food and agricultural products, given that the EAEU is also the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products. Our organization is taking all possible measures, including customs tariff and non-tariff regulations, to ensure sustainability of supply chains,» Vladimir Putin concluded.
