Discussions on Cancellation of Roaming in EAEU Have Begun, Says Tigran Sargsyan

The chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Tigran Sargsyan, commented on the cancellation of roaming within the EAEU in a conversation with TASS, detailing the steps being taken in this direction.

“We have addressed the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, requesting that discussions on this issue be initiated so that roaming is canceled both in Russia and throughout the Eurasian region. Now we need to start negotiations with all operators that operate in the territory of the five countries, so that they can reach an agreement based on Russia's model to abolish roaming within the EAEU,” he stated. “Our European partners have acted similarly within the EU, considering it an important step towards creating a borderless space,” he added.

Sargsyan emphasized that in the first phase, it is necessary to understand how the rates for services will be determined in the absence of roaming, and national governments must engage in dialogue with businesses, as it is evident that businesses may resist in efforts to preserve their revenues.

“We have already initiated this dialogue, and we are currently in negotiation processes with our Russian partners. There is mutual understanding. It should be noted that due to the efforts of our commission, the roaming rates in the EAEU have already decreased several times, and this is significant progress. Now we need to gather the operators around the negotiating table to develop an agreed decision on the cancellation of roaming,” said the chairman of the EEC.