Armenia Emphasizes the Importance of Expanding EAEU's External Economic Relations Geography: Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated in the regular session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Moscow. First, a narrow session of the intergovernmental council took place, followed by an extended session. Apart from the heads of government of the EAEU member states, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, who holds an observer status in the EAEU, also participated in the extended session.

During the extended session, Prime Minister Pashinyan delivered a speech in which he particularly stated, “Dear members of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, distinguished participants of the meeting, I am pleased to welcome you to this year’s final session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Head of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, for the hospitality and the excellent organization of today’s meeting. I also wish to thank the Belarusian side for the work done and wish the Republic of Kazakhstan a successful presidency in the coming year.

Dear colleagues, the Republic of Armenia emphasizes the importance of expanding the geography of the EAEU's external economic relations, viewing it as a key factor in further strengthening the organization’s role in the global economy. Signing new agreements on free trade not only activates dialogue but also contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the EAEU, opening new opportunities for economic growth for our countries.

Another important component of economic cooperation is the field of transport and logistics. Diversification of transport infrastructure can serve as an additional stimulus for the growth of trade turnover. In this regard, I would like to note that the positive changes occurring in the region open new opportunities for deepening economic cooperation, and the unblocking of regional communications can become a crucial factor in expanding regional ties and strengthening the economic stability of all countries in the region.

In this context, I would like to welcome the decision of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the unblocking of the transit of goods sent to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory. This is one of the important achievements made within the framework of establishing peace and stability in our region.

Honorable participants of the meeting, the formation of common energy markets is an essential prerequisite for ensuring equal and predictable conditions for all EAEU member states. It is necessary to consistently move towards creating fully functional common markets that ensure effective interaction of all parties, transparency, and balance of interests. At the same time, it becomes particularly important for EAEU member states to prioritize internal supplies over exports to third countries and to develop unified approaches to the implementation of this principle.

Against the backdrop of high instability in global food markets, the sustainability of agricultural systems in EAEU countries is particularly crucial for ensuring economic stability. Achieving concrete results directly depends on the implementation of coordinated practical measures, including systematic innovation implementation, digital transformation, as well as the establishment and development of effective financial support mechanisms for joint industrial and agro-industrial cooperative projects.

In the context of implementing a roadmap for creating favorable conditions for the development of electronic commerce in the EAEU, we believe that it is advisable to focus in subsequent phases on the consistent implementation of digital solutions, ensuring the compatibility of technological approaches used by member states. This will facilitate the simplification of electronic commerce processes and the stable development of the digital environment.

Within the framework of digitalization, we emphasize the implementation of various initiatives that contribute to the digital transformation of areas including customs and transportation. At the same time, priority should be given to creating joint mechanisms for information protection in the field of cybersecurity, enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructures, and developing standards and methodologies for responding to cyber threats. Such a comprehensive approach will foster trust, enhance the security of the digital environment, and ensure the secure and effective operation of processes.

In conclusion, let me once again affirm the Republic of Armenia’s readiness for mutually beneficial cooperation. Thank you for your attention.”

Next, the heads of government signed the protocols of the decisions adopted.