Eurasian Economic Commission carried out huge works in last 4 years, says Armenia’s PM
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered remarks at the extended format session of the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council in Moscow, stating that the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) has carried out huge works during the 4 years of its activity.
Pashinyan said tangible results have been recorded in terms of the creation and strengthening of the EAEU institutions.
“I think that almost 4 years of its activity the EEC has really carried out major works in practical implementation of principles of freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labor force. Tangible results have been registered in terms of the creation and strengthening of the EAEU institutions. It can be proudly stated that our organization has made a great step in establishing its place and role in the international economic system with a diverse package of cooperation”, the Armenian PM said.
He praised the results achieved and highlighted the necessity to further improve the normative legal base, eliminate shortcomings and restrictions, coordinate the policy in main branches of economy and cut the bureaucratic burden on the business.
“We face many issues directed for deepening the cooperation between our countries in different areas. One of those issues is the creation of a legal field for the operation of a single market of alcoholic drinks”, he said adding that the signing of a respective international agreement will enable to form mutually beneficial commercial mechanisms aimed at creating competitive advantages of member states. Pashinyan said the agreement will allow to eliminate the existing restriction linked with the absence of mutual recognition of stamps.
“As February 2020 approaches, the issues of forming the new staff of the EEC Board become more relevant. We think that the selection of a rotation mechanism can put a base for the fair distribution of function based on the principles of equality of interests of each other and mutual respect. As I stated for many times, one of Armenia’s 2019 chairmanship priorities in the EAEU is the diversification of foreign economic relations and the geographical expansion of free trade agreements”, the PM noted.
He congratulated all on the successful agreement on a free trade and stated that today it will be signed with Serbia.
“Armenia is going to completely use all the mechanisms this agreement gives us. In the context of the implementation of the goals and issues of the Union’s international activity, another important event is that the agreement on trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU, its member states and China has entered into force. Despite that the agreement doesn’t envisage elimination of customs duties or automatic decline of non-tariff barriers, it will improve the access of goods to the Chinese market from the EAEU countries”, he said.
Summing up his remarks, the Armenian PM said today’s session is the last session of the Inter-governmental Council which he attends as the head of a chairing country.