EEU Agreement with China not to Replace EEU Member States-China relations: Tigran Sargsyan

In an interview with TASS, Eurasian Economic Commission Board Chairman Tigran Sargsyan talked about the negotiation process with China over the trade-economic cooperation, as well as the further integration prospects of the EAEU member states. He recalled that the Eurasian Supreme Economic Council has made a decision in May, 2015 to start negotiations with China over signing the trade-economic cooperation agreement.

Sargsyan said the Chinese side, as well as the EEU member states view the agreement as a component of the organization and the combination process of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) Chinese initiative. “SREB is a global project which includes various components such as economy, trade, transportation, culture, education, etc. It is important to state that any Chinese Ministry or company are not assigned to implement the SREB projects.

The Commission works with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce towards the signing of the trade-economic cooperation agreement, although not only the Ministry, but also the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Silk Road Foundation and other structures are responsible for the SREB,” Tigran Sargsyan said. Speaking about the terms set for the negotiations, Tigran Sargsyan said the sooner the agreement is signed, it will be more beneficial for the sides, but there is no need to hurry since it might harm the agreement and the interests of the sides.

He said the trade-economic cooperation agreement will not replace the relations of EEU separate member states with China. “Quite the contrary, the agreement will contribute to the institutionalization of the relations of the EEU all member states with China”.