Large Eurasian partnership with EAEU, India, China, CIS countries

The Russian leader has also called to work on creation of a large Eurasian partnership involving the Eurasian Economic Union, India, China, the Commonwealth of Independent States and others. "With our partners we believe that the Eurasian Economic Union may be one of the centers of formation of a broader integration path," Putin said, noting that this issue was discussed at the meeting of Heads of the EAEU in late May in Astana. "We suggest considering creation of a large Eurasian partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union as well as countries that we already have a close relationship - China, India, Pakistan, Iran, and, of course, our CIS partners, and other interested countries and associations," Putin said. "In June together with our Chinese counterparts we plan to give the official start of negotiations on the establishment of a comprehensive trade and economic partnership in Eurasia with the participation of the Eurasian Economic Union and China," he added. He hopes that "it will be one of the first steps of the formation of a large Eurasian Partnership". According to Putin, the realization of this ambitious project will be discussed, in particular, at the Easters Economic Forum, which will be held in Vladivostok in early September. In addition, the President noted that the "Big Eurasia project" will be opened for Europe as well. Within the framework of a common Eurasian circuit, Putin said, "major technological problems, could be solved, new participants could be motivated and engaged in the process of technological development." According to the President, for one thing, partner countries could simplify and unify regulations in the field of industry cooperation and investment, as well as phytosanitary, customs regulations, etc. "In the future we could gradually move to lowering and then abolishing tariff restrictions," Putin said. He suggested that this work "relies on a network of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements," taking into account different depths, paces, and levels of interaction, market exposure and readiness of national economies for such steps. "All these agreements should be aimed at the future, create base for joint harmonious development based on efficient and equal cooperation," he added. In general, speaking about integration within the EAEU, Putin recalled that in 2025 in the framework of this association, "a single market of energy and hydrocarbons will be created, as well as financial market." At the same time, more than 40 countries and international organizations expressed interest in creating free trade zone with the Eurasian Union, Putin said. Putin has urged development of cooperation within flexible integration entities During his address he said: "Technological and economic tasks in the current situation have such scale and nature that we can develop effectively only by joining forces and building cooperative ties," he said. The president stressed that such cooperation can be effectively built in the framework of flexible and open integration entities that encourage competition in scientific research, a variety of technical solutions that allow their members states to fully use their competence and potential. Read more