Japarov proposed to form a pool of infrastructure projects
An address of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, to the heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Union on occasion of Kyrgyzstan's presidency in the EAEU bodies in 2022 posted on the Eurasia Economic Commission official website
The President of Kyrgyzstan outlined the topical directions of the EAEU development this year. In his opinion, agreed decisions and implementation of effective and long-term mechanisms to minimise the impact of negative factors on the Union’s economies are needed against the background of dependence of economic stability on modern global and regional challenges and threats, and on volatility in the resource markets.
He proposed to focus on the following areas, “This is primarily achievement of the Strategic Directions for Developing the Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025. It is necessary to continue close co-operation of the EAEU member states and the work of each body of the Eurasian Economic Union regarding implementation of the Strategy. It is important to ensure the principle of ‘four freedoms’ enshrined in our treaty, to develop and implement effective measures and mechanisms to eliminate barriers and counteract their re-emergence. We should also give an appropriate status to the judicial branch of the Eurasian Economic Union and additional powers to the Board of the Commission.”
Sadyr Japarov believes it is necessary to enhance co-operation in the industrial and agro-industrial spheres to increase competitiveness of the national economies in modern conditions and to co-ordinate the inflationary impact – caused by external factors – on the member states’ economies. To do this, he proposed to develop joint projects and build a system for predicting spatial development. Attention should also be paid to implementation of joint import substitution projects.
Sadyr Japarov noted that the problem of ensuring food security in the EAEU member states remains topical, “It is feasible to pursue a co-ordinated agro-industrial policy to control prices and ensure balanced agricultural production. Moreover, development of direct business contacts between producers and consumers of goods within the Union, creation of commodity distribution systems and logistics infrastructure could help significantly reduce price manipulation.”
The President of Kyrgyzstan also put forward an idea to define the criteria and principles for supporting the EAEU national economies, “We propose to create a pool of infrastructure projects that will have a positive impact on the economies of the member states and the Union as a whole, and also to determine the mechanism for their implementation.” He then mentioned the promotion and further implementation of a very important project dealing with construction of a China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as an example.
“It is necessary to concentrate on developing co-ordinated measures to respond to the challenges of climate change and convergence of approaches of the EAEU member states within the framework of the climate agenda aimed at protecting the environment, creating favourable conditions for economic growth, and increasing competitiveness of the member states’ economies and the Union as a whole,” Sadyr Japarov added.
According to the Kyrgyz leader, the EAEU development is connected with the well-being of its citizens: they should enjoy adequate standard of living regardless of which state of the Union they work in. “The emphasis should be placed here on social security, medical assistance to the EAEU workers and their family members on the territory of the state of employment on the same conditions as citizens of this state,” he explained.
Sadyr Japarov added that it is important to develop a dialogue format of co-operation, trade and economic relations with third countries by signing trade agreements in order to join new promising markets – including in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, North Africa, and Latin America.
“I also propose to strengthen interaction between the working bodies of the EAEU and the CIS on the issues of integration of the CIS legal base and the EAEU law in order to enhance the two associations’ integration potential,” he stressed.
The President of Kyrgyzstan considers it important to increase the potential of the Commission regarding the systematic spread of integration ideas, promotion of institutional penetration of the Eurasian integration ideas into inter-country, interdepartmental, inter-sectoral functioning and interaction, large-scale spread of the Eurasian ideology, including into our younger generation’s consciousness. To do this, Kyrgyzstan proposes to establish and annually hold the EAEU Youth Forum.
“In 2022, it will be ten years since the beginning of the Eurasian Economic Commission’s work. This landmark event should become an impetus for the spread of the Union’s ideas and its promotion in society with maximum efficiency. In this regard, it is proposed to organise large-scale information campaigns and events in all member states,” Sadyr Japarov said.
As he assured, Kyrgyzstan – while remaining committed to the ideas, goals and principles of the Union – will make every effort to ensure effective and mutually beneficial co-operation between the member states.
