EAEU positively contributed to economic growth and development, Andrey Metelitsa
Islamabad : H. E. Ambassador Albert P. Khorev of Russia and Andrey Metelitsa, Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan, address joint press briefing.
Ambassador Albert P. Khorev said we prepare to celebrate the Day of the Eurasian Economic Union, which is observed annually on May 29.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international economic integration organization comprising five member states: Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Collectively, the EAEU is home to 185,5 million people. The EAEU’s GDP is $2,6 trillion, its industrial production is $1,6 trillion, its agricultural production is $132 billion, and its investments are $487 billion.
EAEU countries are pursuing coordinated policies in energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization.
The EAEU’s experience has attracted external actors seeking dialogue with our union in various formats. The EAEU has signed free trade agreements with Iran, Serbia, and Vietnam, as well as a non-preferential agreement with China. The Eurasian Economic Commission, the EAEU’s supranational body, has over 80 memorandums of cooperation with third countries, organizations, and integration associations, including the CIS, SCO, ASEAN, and UN structures. Four countries — Iran, Uzbekistan, Cuba, and Moldova — are observer states.
Pakistan’s important geographical location at the crossroads of trade routes makes us optimistic about the great potential for interaction between the Islamic Republic and EAEU countries, particularly with regard to strengthening connectivity and logistical ties.
This year, the Republic of Belarus is presiding over the Eurasian Economic Union.
Ambassador Albert, You can learn about the main milestones of EAEU development by exploring the photo exhibition prepared by our Embassy in collaboration with the Embassy of Belarus in Pakistan. May 9 Russia held a major celebration of the main anniversary of this year – the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. One of the most notable events was the Victory Parade in Moscow.
Today’s briefing concerning efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone and agreed that Russia would unilaterally suspend its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days. The Ukrainian side later verbally supported this initiative. This “energy moratorium” has become a kind of “litmus test” to evaluate Kiev’s ability and willingness to implement the ceasefire agreements.
The results of the test are disappointing. During the moratorium period, from March 18 to April 17, the Kiev regime violated the agreement about 130 times. Despite Ukraine’s apparent lack of political will to honor the peace agreement, Russia refrained from attacking Ukrainian energy facilities for a month.
Additionally, despite Zelensky’s desperate pleas for a ceasefire, Ukraine ignored two more opportunities to demonstrate its commitment to peace. First, Kiev refused to cease hostilities during the Easter truce from April 19-21, violating it a total of 4,900 times, and then rejected President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to suspend hostilities from May 9-11.
At the same time, Western media outlets and several Pakistani newspapers are trying to portray Zelensky as a champion of peace by publicizing his calls for a 30-day ceasefire. In this regard, I have a question: How does Ukraine plan to observe a full ceasefire for 30 days when, over the past three months, we have seen the Kiev regime’s complete unwillingness and reluctance to agree to a truce on a smaller scale?
The answer is obvious. Ukraine does not need a ceasefire to move closer to a peaceful settlement of the conflict; it needs one to regroup and rearm with the help of European military and financial assistance. We almost daily hear bellicose statements from the leaders of France, the UK, Germany, and other EU countries about the need to militarize Europe and Ukraine to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Germany is the most zealous in this regard, having increased its military budget by nearly 30%, making it the fourth-largest military spender in the world.
Russia has repeatedly emphasized that a lasting settlement to the Ukrainian crisis requires the elimination of the root causes of the conflict, not a Western-driven ceasefire. As early as June 14, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented a concrete plan to achieve peace in Ukraine. The plan’s key elements are the withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from the new Russian regions (Donetsk People’s Republic, Luhansk People’s Republic, Zaporozhzhye and Kherson Oblasts), the recognition of the new territorial realities, Kiev’s refusal to apply for NATO membership, the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia, and the guarantee of the full rights of Russian-speaking Ukrainian citizens.
I would like to make a special mention of President Vladimir Putin’s recent initiative to resume direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul. Ukraine, under considerable pressure from the United States, ultimately accepted the initiative, albeit not immediately. During the May 16 meeting, which lasted two hours, the Russian and Ukrainian sides presented their visions for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. They also agreed to conduct a large-scale prisoner exchange under the “1000 for 1000” formula. As you know, this agreement was fully implemented from May 23 to 25. As a result, 880 captured Russian servicemen and 120 civilians returned home. The parties also agreed to exchange detailed proposals for the terms of a potential future ceasefire. We expect the negotiations to continue.
We appreciate the United States’ positive role in facilitating the Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul on May 16. Donald Trump’s statement that Kiev’s desire to join NATO was one of the causes of the conflict shows that he understands its root causes. During a telephone conversation on May 19, President Putin personally thanked President Trump for his mediation efforts. During the two-hour conversation, the Presidents noted that Russia was ready to engage with the Ukrainian side on drafting a memorandum regarding a potential future peace agreement. This would include outlining a range of provisions, such as the principles for settlement, the timeframe for a possible peace deal, and other matters, including a potential temporary ceasefire, should the necessary agreements be reached.
H. E. Andrei Metelitsa, Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan brief media about the Eurasian Economic Union, that with key goals, First, to create a single market for goods, services, capital and labor resources within the Union, operating on the basis of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space. Second, to create stable development, modernization and strengthening of the competitive capabilities of the economies of Union member states, Third, to improve citizens living standards.
In order to reach the goals the Heads of Member States in December 2023 signed the Declaration on the Eurasian Economic Path with the medium-term priorities until 2030 and long-term strategic priorities until 2045. By 2045 the Eurasian economic union should be transformed to a self-sufficient, harmoniously developed and attractive macro-region with leading positions in economic, technological and intellectual spheres.
The Action Plan with activities in the next 5 years for the implementation of the Declaration will be adopted by the end of 2025.
Belarusian chairmanship has following priorities, to enhance technological capabilities of Union member states; to increase Union’s food security through selection and seed production, strengthening genetic capacity of breeding farm animals.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
