Among the largest modern international associations is the Eurasian one. Formally, it was established in 2014, but by the time the agreement on its creation was signed, the EAEU member states already had considerable experience of interaction in the mode of active economic integration. What are the specifics of the EAEU? What is it - economic or political association?

General information about the organization

Let's start the study of the question posed by considering the key facts about the relevant organization. What are the most noteworthy facts about the EAEU? What is this structure?

The Eurasian Economic Union, or EAEU, is an association within the framework of international economic cooperation of several states of the Eurasian region - Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Armenia. Other countries are expected to join this association, since the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an open structure. The main thing is that candidates for joining the association share the goals of this organization and show readiness to fulfill the obligations stipulated by the relevant agreements. The creation of the structure was preceded by the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Community, as well as the Customs Union (which continues to function as one of the structures of the EAEU).

How did the idea of ​​forming the EAEU come about?

As evidenced by a number of sources, the state that was the first to initiate the processes of economic integration into the EAEU that grew into an institution is Kazakhstan. Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed the relevant idea at a speech at Moscow State University in 1994. Subsequently, the concept was supported by other former Soviet republics - Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

The main advantage of being a state member of the Eurasian Economic Union is the freedom of economic activity of entities registered in it on the territory of all member countries of the union. It is expected that on the basis of the institutions of the EAEU a single trading space will soon be formed, characterized by common standards and norms for doing business.

Is there a place for political interaction?

So, what is the EAEU, an exclusively economic structure, or an association, which, perhaps, will be characterized by a political component of integration? At the moment and in the near future, as evidenced by various sources, it would be more correct to speak of the first interpretation of the essence of the association. That is, the political aspect is excluded. Countries will integrate in pursuit of economic interests.

There is evidence of initiatives regarding the creation of some supranational parliamentary structures within the framework of the EAEU. But the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, as evidenced by a number of sources, do not consider the possibility of their participation in building their respective countries. They want to maintain full sovereignty, agreeing only to economic integration.

At the same time, for many experts and ordinary people it is obvious how close the political relations of the countries that are members of the EAEU are. The composition of this structure is formed by the closest allies who do not have publicly expressed fundamental disagreements about the difficult situation on the world stage. This allows some analysts to conclude that economic integration within the framework of the association under consideration would be very difficult if there were significant political differences between the member countries of the association.

History of the EAEU

A better understanding of the specifics of the EAEU (what kind of organization it is) will help us to study some facts from the history of the association. In 1995, the heads of several states - Belarus, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, a little later - Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, formalized agreements establishing the Customs Union. On their basis, the Eurasian Economic Community, or EurAsEC, was established in 2000. In 2010, a new association appeared - the Customs Union. In 2012, the Common Economic Space was opened - first with the participation of the states that are members of the CU, then - Armenia and Kyrgyzstan joined the structure.

In 2014, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus signed an agreement on the creation of the EAEU. Later, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan joined it. The provisions of the relevant document came into force in 2015. The Customs Union of the EAEU continues, as we noted above, to function. It includes the same countries as the EAEU.

progressive development

Thus, the member states of the EAEU - the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan - began to interact long before the corresponding association was established in its modern form. According to a number of analysts, the Eurasian Economic Union is an example of an international organization with a progressive, systematic development of integration processes, which can predetermine the significant stability of the corresponding structure.

Stages of development of the EAEU

Several stages in the development of the Eurasian Economic Union have been identified. The first is the establishment of a free trade zone, the development of norms according to which trade between the EAEU member countries can be carried out without duties. At the same time, each state retains independence in terms of conducting trade with third countries.

The next stage in the development of the EAEU is the formation of the Customs Union, which implies the formation of an economic space within which the movement of goods will be carried out without hindrance. At the same time, the rules of foreign trade common to all countries participating in the association should also be determined.

The most important stage in the development of the union is the formation of a single market. It is expected that it will be created within the framework of which it will be possible to freely exchange not only goods, but also services, capital and personnel - between the member states of the association.

The next stage is the formation of an economic union, the participants of which will be able to coordinate the priorities of the implementation of economic policy among themselves.

After the listed tasks are solved, it remains to achieve full economic integration of the states included in the association. This implies the creation of a supranational structure that will determine priorities in building economic and social policies in all countries that are members of the union.

Advantages of the EAEU

Let's take a closer look at the key benefits that members of the EAEU receive. We noted above that among the key ones is the freedom of economic activity of economic entities that are registered in any state of the union throughout the territory of the EAEU. But this is far from the only advantage of the entry of the state into the organization we are studying.

Members of the EAEU will have the opportunity to:

Take advantage of low prices for many goods, as well as lower costs associated with the transportation of goods;

Develop markets more dynamically by increasing competition;

Increase labor productivity;

To increase the volume of the economy by increasing the demand for manufactured goods;

Provide employment for citizens.

Prospects for GDP Growth

Even for such economically powerful players as Russia, the EAEU is the most important factor in economic growth. Russia's GDP, according to some economists, can, thanks to the country's entry into the association under consideration, receive a very powerful growth stimulus. Other EAEU member countries — Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus — can achieve impressive GDP growth rates.

Social aspect of integration

Apart from the positive economic effect, the EAEU member countries are expected to integrate socially as well. International business activities, according to many experts, will help establish partnerships and stimulate the strengthening of friendship between nations. Integration processes are facilitated by the common Soviet past of the peoples living in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. The cultural and, which is very important, the linguistic proximity of the EAEU states is obvious. The composition of the organization is formed by countries in which the Russian language is familiar to most of the population. Thus, many factors can contribute to the successful solution of the tasks facing the heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Supranational structures

The Treaty on the EAEU has been signed, it is up to its implementation. Among the most important tasks in the development of the Eurasian Economic Union is the creation of a number of supranational institutions whose activities will be aimed at promoting integration economic processes. According to a number of public sources, the formation of some basic institutions of the EAEU is expected. What structures can these be?

First of all, these are various commissions:

Economics;

Raw materials (she will be engaged in setting prices, as well as quotas for goods and fuel, coordinating the policy in the sphere of circulation of precious metals);

For interstate financial and industrial associations and enterprises;

By entering the currency for settlements;

On environmental issues.

It is also planned to create a special Fund, the competence of which is cooperation in various fields: in the economy, in the field of science and technology development. It is assumed that this organization will deal with the financing of various studies, help the participants in cooperation in solving a wide range of issues - legal, financial or, for example, environmental.

Other major supranational structures of the EAEU that are planned to be created are the International Investment Bank, as well as arbitration of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Among the successfully created associations that are part of the management structure of the EAEU, we will study the features of its activities in more detail.

Eurasian Economic Commission

It can be noted that the EEC was established in 2011, that is, even before the agreement on the creation of the EAEU was signed. It was founded by Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Initially, this organization was created to manage processes at the level of such a structure as the Customs Union. The EAEU is a structure in the development of which the Commission is called upon to directly participate now.

The EEC has established a council and a collegium. The first structure should include deputy heads of governments of the member states of the association. The collegium should consist of three people from the member countries of the EAEU. The Commission provides for the creation of separate departments.

The Eurasian Economic Commission is the most important, but not the most important, supranational governing body of the EAEU. It is subordinate to the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. Consider the key facts about him.

This structure, like the Eurasian Economic Commission, was created a few years before the states signed the agreement on the creation of the EAEU. Thus, for a long time it was considered a supranational body in the structure of the Customs Union, as well as the Common Economic Space. The Council is formed by the heads of the EAEU member states. At least once a year, it must meet at the highest level. The heads of government of the participating countries of the association must meet at least 2 times a year. A feature of the functioning of the Council is that decisions are made in the format of consensus. The approved provisions are mandatory for implementation in the EAEU member countries.

Prospects for the EAEU

How do analysts assess the prospects for the development of the EAEU? Above, we noted that some experts believe that along with economic integration, the political rapprochement of the member states of the association is inevitable. There are experts who share this point of view. There are experts who completely disagree with her. The main argument of those analysts who see the prospects for the politicization of the EAEU is that Russia, as the leading economic player in the association, will in one way or another influence the decisions made by the authorities of the EAEU member states. Opponents of this point of view believe that, on the contrary, it is not in the interests of the Russian Federation to show excessive interest in the politicization of the corresponding international association.

Provided that a balance is maintained between the economic and political components in the EAEU, the prospects for the union, based on a number of objective indicators, are assessed by many analysts as very positive. Thus, the total GDP of the member states of the structure under consideration will be comparable with the indicators of the world's leading economies. Taking into account the scientific and resource potential of the EAEU, the volume of economic systems of the member countries of the union can grow significantly in the future.

Worldwide collaboration

According to a number of analysts, the prospects for cooperation with the EAEU are attractive for countries that seem to be far from the economic space formed by the countries that signed the EAEU treaty - Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Armenia. For example, Vietnam recently signed a free trade agreement with the EAEU.

For cooperation Syria, Egypt. This gives analysts a reason to say that the Eurasian Economic Union can become the most powerful player in the world market.

(EAEU) is an economic union, which, as part of Eurasian integration, is being created on the basis of the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus since January 1, 2015.

Cooperation in the field of interstate integration in the field of economy in the post-Soviet space has been carried out since the late 1990s.

February 26, 1999 Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan signed the Treaty on the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. This document, without specifying the terms of implementation, assumed the abolition of customs control at internal borders, the implementation of a common economic policy and the formation of a common market for goods, services, labor and capital, the unification of national legislation, and the implementation of a coordinated social, scientific and technological policy.

On October 10, 2000, the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) was formed (the agreement entered into force on May 30, 2001). The EurAsEC included Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. In 2006, protocols were signed on accession to the Treaty on the Establishment of the EurAsEC of Uzbekistan. In 2008, Uzbekistan's membership in the EurAsEC was suspended.

In 2002, the status of observers at the EurAsEC was received by Ukraine and Moldova, in 2003 - Armenia. In December 2003, the EurAsEC was granted observer status in the UN General Assembly.

On August 16, 2006 in Sochi, at a meeting of the heads of the EurAsEC member states, it was decided to create a Customs Union (CU) of three states within the EurAsEC - Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.

On November 27, 2009, the Agreement on the Customs Code was signed. The Unified Customs Tariff of the Customs Union (entered into force on January 1, 2010), the Unified Commodity Nomenclature for Foreign Economic Activity and other international documents aimed at implementing a unified customs and tariff regulation were approved. A decision was made to start functioning from July 1, 2010 of the single customs territory of the Customs Union. On July 6, 2010, the Customs Code of the Customs Union came into force.

On July 1, 2011, the Customs Union began to function fully: customs control was completely removed at the internal borders between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, all types of customs control and clearance were transferred to the external border of the Customs Union.

December 19, 2009 in Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan) at an informal meeting of the heads of states of the Customs Union, it was decided to approve the Action Plan for the formation of the Common Economic Space (SES) of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.

On February 2, 2012, the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) began functioning as a permanent regulatory body of the CU and the CES.

During the meeting of the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in Moscow, a declaration on Eurasian economic integration was signed, in which the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was proclaimed as one of the main long-term goals of Eurasian economic integration.

On May 29, 2012 in Astana, at the meeting of the Heads of State of the Customs Union, the work plan for the preparation of the draft Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was approved.

It is expected that the EAEU will start functioning from January 1, 2015, taking the place of the abolished EurAsEC.

The area of ​​the EAEU will exceed 20 million square kilometers, the population living on its territory will be about 170 million people.

The trilateral agreement on the creation of the EAEU is planned to be signed on May 29, 2014 at the summit in Astana.

The single financial regulator of the Eurasian Economic Union, its headquarters will be located in Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan).

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Introduction

The Eurasian Economic Union is an international organization of regional economic integration with international legal personality and established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union.

The EAEU ensures the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labor, as well as the conduct of a coordinated, coordinated or unified policy in the sectors of the economy.

The member states of the Eurasian Economic Union are the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.

The EAEU was created for the purpose of comprehensive modernization, cooperation and increasing the competitiveness of national economies and creating conditions for stable development in order to improve the living standards of the population of the member states.

Eurasian Economic Union: composition and chronology

The Eurasian Economic Union (abbr. EAEU) is an international organization of regional economic integration with international legal personality and established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union. The EAEU ensures the freedom of movement of goods, as well as services, capital and labor, and the conduct of a coordinated, coordinated or unified policy in the sectors of the economy.

Members:

Candidates:

Kyrgyzstan (the accession agreement was signed on December 23, 2014; on the day of signing, it was assumed that the agreement would enter into force no later than May 8, 2015), (5,874,100 people as of November 1, 2014).

Possible candidates:

Tajikistan President of Tajikistan E. Rahmon in 2014 announced the need to study the economic base and legal documents of the Eurasian Economic Union "with a view to possible further entry into this new integration association

During the first official visit to Russia, March 29, 1994, at the Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev for the first time came up with the idea of ​​forming the Eurasian Union of States.

In June 1994, a detailed integration project was sent to the heads of state and then published in the press. For the first time in an official document, the new integration association was called the Eurasian Union.

In 1995, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation signed the Agreement on the Customs Union, aimed at removing obstacles to free economic interaction between the economic entities of the parties, ensuring free exchange of goods and fair competition, and ultimately guaranteeing the sustainable development of the economies of the Parties.

The Troika Agreement, signed in 1995, determined the integration core, which is currently the engine of integration processes in the Eurasian space.

On March 29, 1996, in Moscow, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation signed the Treaty on Deepening Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields.

The Republic of Tajikistan acceded to the Treaty in 1998.

Conceived as the highest form of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, the Eurasian Union, in fact, is a model of civilized relationships between independent states in the post-Soviet space, while unconditionally maintaining their sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. These principles are gradually being implemented.

On February 26, 1999, in Moscow, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan signed the Treaty on the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space.

On May 23, 2000 in Minsk, at a meeting of the Interstate Council, it was decided to prepare, by September 2000, a draft agreement on the formation of an interstate integration association of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan.

On October 10, 2000 in Astana, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan established the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) in order to effectively promote the formation of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space.

On September 19, 2003 in Yalta, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine signed the Agreement on the Formation of the Common Economic Space. The governments of the parties have begun work on preparing the legal framework for the SES in order to create a single economic space that ensures the free movement of goods, services, capital and labor.

In August 2006, during an informal summit in Sochi, the heads of the EurAsEC member states decided to intensify the work of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation on the formation of the Customs Union in the "troika" format with the subsequent accession of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan as their economies are ready .

On October 6, 2007 in Dushanbe, an Agreement was signed on the creation of a single customs territory and the formation of the Customs Union of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. The goal was set to ensure the free movement of goods in mutual trade and favorable terms of trade of the Customs Union with third countries, as well as the development of economic integration.

In January 2010, the Customs Union of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation began to function: the Common Customs Tariff was put into effect, customs clearance and customs control at internal borders were abolished, and the unhindered movement of goods on the territory of the three states was ensured.

In December 2010, 17 basic international treaties were adopted, creating the basis for the start of the functioning of the Common Economic Space, and the Declaration on the Formation of the Common Economic Space of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation was signed

In November 2011, the leaders of the countries of the Customs Union signed the Declaration on Eurasian Economic Integration, in which they announced the transition to the next stage of integration construction - the Common Economic Space. The Presidents also signed the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Commission.

In October 2011, a decision was made to start negotiations on the accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the CU.

In December 2011, the Presidents adopted a decision "On the Entry into Force of International Treaties Forming the Common Economic Space of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation", which determines the entry into force from January 1, 2012 of the agreements forming the CES.

In January 2012, international treaties came into force that form the legal basis of the Common Economic Space of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, creating the basis for the free movement of not only goods, but also services, capital and labor. For the full implementation of the "four freedoms" format, over 50 documents are being developed.

In February, the Eurasian Economic Commission, headquartered in Moscow, began its work.

On May 29, 2014, the Presidents of the CU and CES member states at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council signed the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The agreement marked the transition of the Eurasian economic project to a new, deeper level of integration.

On October 10, 2014 in Minsk, during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Armenia to the EAEU was signed.

On December 23, 2014 in Moscow, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, on the one hand, and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, on the other hand, signed the Treaty on the accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the EAEU.

Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter referred to as the EAEU)- an international organization for regional economic integration with international legal personality and established by the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union. The EAEU ensures the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labor, as well as the implementation of a coordinated, consistent and unified policy in the sectors of the economy.

The goals of the creation of the EAEU are:

• comprehensive modernization, cooperation and increasing the competitiveness of national economies;
• creation of conditions for the stable development of the economies of the member states in the interests of raising the living standards of their population.

Within the EAEU:

In relation to third countries of the EAEU, uniform measures of non-tariff regulation are applied, such as:

• prohibition of import and (or) export of goods;
• quantitative restrictions on the import and (or) export of goods;
• exclusive right to export and (or) import goods;
• automatic licensing (supervision) of export and (or) import of goods;
• licensing procedure for import and (or) export of goods.

Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union

The history of the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union

The official start date for the formation of the Customs Union can be considered 1995, when the Agreement on the Establishment of the Union was concluded between the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Belarus. The purpose of this Agreement was to establish economic interaction between the parties, to ensure free trade and fair competition.

On February 26, 1999, the Treaty on the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space was signed. Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and since 2006 - Uzbekistan became parties to the Treaty. Until the early 2000s, the participating countries were actively developing cooperation in various fields of activity (including socio-cultural, scientific).

In 2000, a decision was made to establish the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC). The Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan became members of the community.

In 2003, the Agreement on the Formation of the Common Economic Space (CES) was signed. Work began on the preparation of the legal framework for the CES, which later became the basis for the functioning of the Union. The most important events in the process of forming the Customs Union were two informal summits of the heads of the EurAsEC states.

At an informal summit on August 16, 2006, the heads of the EurAsEC states decided to form a Customs Union within the EurAsEC, in accordance with which Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia were instructed to prepare a legal framework. A year later, on October 6, 2007, at the EurAsEC summit, a package of documents was approved and signed that laid the foundation for the creation of the legal framework of the Customs Union (treaties on the creation of the Common Customs Territory and the formation of the Customs Union, on the Commission of the Customs Union, protocols on amending the Treaty on the Establishment of EurAsEC, on the procedure for the entry into force of international treaties aimed at forming the legal framework of the customs union, withdrawal from them and joining them). In addition, the Action Plan for the formation of a customs union within the framework of the EurAsEC was approved.

Officially, on January 1, 2010, the Customs Union of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation began to function. The united states began to apply in foreign trade with third countries a single customs tariff and common measures of non-tariff regulation, as well as streamlined tariff benefits and preferences for goods from third countries, the Customs Code of the Customs Union began to operate. Gradually, on the internal borders of the member countries of the Customs Union, customs clearance and customs control began to be canceled, points for receiving notifications were liquidated.

In 2012, international treaties came into force that form the legal basis of the Common Economic Space of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, creating the basis for the free movement of not only goods, but also services, capital and labor.

With the signing of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union on May 29, 2014, the member countries of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space laid the foundation for a new, closer interaction. On October 10, 2014, the Republic of Armenia acceded to the Treaty on the EAEU. On December 23, 2014, the Agreement on Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the EAEU was signed.

The structure of the unified customs legislation of the Eurasian Economic Union

In connection with the formation of the regulatory legal framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, the customs legislation of the member states is changing. First of all, in addition to the current national legislation, two more levels of regulation have appeared: international agreements of the member states of the Customs Union and Decisions of the Customs Union Commission (currently the Eurasian Economic Commission). At the moment, the customs legislation of the EAEU is a four-level system:

Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union

The transition to a higher level of integration required major changes in the regulatory framework of the Union. Work on the creation of a new Customs Code has been going on for several years, the process required numerous approvals of amendments from the Member States of the Union. On December 26, 2016, the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union was adopted, which replaced the Customs Code of the Customs Union adopted in 2009. The new EAEU TC entered into force on January 1, 2018. The document combines many international treaties and agreements of the Customs Union (for example, the Agreement on determining the customs value of goods transported across the customs border of the Customs Union), which will become invalid in whole or in part.

The Customs Code of the EAEU contains a number of new provisions concerning not only the structure of the Code itself (the new Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union contains 4 annexes, which were not in the Customs Code of the Customs Union), but also the rules of customs regulation in the Union. Thus, in the draft Customs Code of the EAEU, the conceptual apparatus has been updated, the “single window” principle has been introduced, the priority of electronic declaration has been declared, some changes have been made to customs procedures, the institution of an authorized economic operator has been reformed, etc.

Governing bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union

The governing bodies of the EAEU are:

• Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (supreme governing body)
• Eurasian Intergovernmental Council
• Eurasian Economic Commission (working permanent body)
• Court of the Eurasian Economic Union

Areas of activity of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The world every year goes further along the path of globalization and integration. Ties within economic and political unions are growing stronger, new interstate associations are emerging. One such organization is the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Let's learn more about the work of this regional association.

The essence of the EAEU

What is the Eurasian Economic Union? This is an international association aimed at the economic integration of a number of countries located in Europe and Asia. Currently, it includes only a number of states of the former Soviet Union, but this does not mean that, theoretically, the EAEU cannot expand beyond the borders of the former USSR.

It should be noted that the members of the Eurasian Economic Union are expanding cooperation among themselves not only in economic terms, but also in political and cultural aspects.

Organization goals

The main goal set by the Eurasian Economic Union is to deepen economic interaction between its member countries. This finds expression in local tasks, such as stimulating trade between countries, removing customs and tax restrictions on trade, developing cooperation and developing common economic projects. The result of deepening cooperation should be the growth of the economies of the participating countries and an increase in the standard of living of their citizens.

The main tool for achieving the strategic goal is to ensure free trade, which is expressed in the unhindered movement of commodity values, capital, labor and other resources within the borders of the EAEU.

Background of creation

Let's find out how such an organization as the Eurasian Economic Union was formed.

The creation of the CIS marked the beginning of the reintegration of states in the expanses of the former USSR. The agreement on the formation of this formation in December 1991 was signed between the heads of the RSFSR, Belarus and Ukraine. Later, until 1994 inclusive, all Soviet republics joined it, except for the Baltic countries. True, Turkmenistan takes part in the organization as an association, the Parliament of Ukraine has not ratified the agreement, therefore, although the country is the founder and member of the association, it is not legally a member, and Georgia left the CIS in 2008.

At the same time, during their work, the Commonwealth institutions have shown their low efficiency. The decisions of the CIS bodies were not actually binding on its members and were often not implemented, and the economic effect of cooperation was minimal. This made the governments of some countries in the region think about creating more effective systems of interaction.

A statement about the need to create a closer union than the CIS, which would imply systemic integration of the economies of the participating countries, as well as a common defense policy, was made by the President of Kazakhstan. By analogy with the European Union, he called the hypothetical organization the Eurasian Union. As you can see, the name stuck and in the future was used to create a new economic structure.

The next step towards mutual integration was the signing in 1996 between the leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan of the Agreement on Deepening Integration. Its action covered both the economic and humanitarian spheres.

EurAsEC - the predecessor of the EAEU

In 2001, the integration aspirations of the above countries, as well as Tajikistan that joined them, found expression in the creation of a full-fledged international organization - the Eurasian Economic Community. In 2006, Uzbekistan became a member of the EurAsEC, but after only two years, it suspended its participation in the organization. Observer status was given to Ukraine, Moldova and Armenia.

The purpose of this organization was to deepen economic cooperation in the region, as well as the implementation of some tasks that the CIS could not cope with. It was a natural continuation of those integration processes that were launched by the 1996 agreement, and the Eurasian Economic Union was the result of common efforts.

Organization of the Customs Union

One of the main tasks of the EurAsEC was the organization of the Customs Union. It provided for a single customs territory. That is, within the boundaries of this interstate association, when moving goods, customs duties were not levied.

The agreement on the formation of the Customs Union between representatives of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus was signed back in 2007. But before the organization could begin to function fully, each of the participating countries had to make appropriate changes to domestic legislation.

TC started its activity in January 2010. First of all, this was expressed in the formation of identical customs tariffs. In July, the Unified Customs Code came into force. It served as the foundation on which the entire TS system rests. Thus, the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union was formed, which is still in force today.

In 2011, a common customs territory began to function, which meant the abolition of all customs restrictions between the CU countries.

During 2014-2015, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia also joined the Customs Union. Representatives of the government structures of Tunisia and Syria expressed their wish for their countries to join the CU organization in the future.

The Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Union, in fact, are components of the same regional integration process.

Formation of the EAEU

The Eurasian Economic Union is the final result of the integration aspirations of a number of countries of the former Soviet Union. The decision to create this organization was made at the summit of the heads of the EurAsEC members back in 2010. Since 2012, the Common Economic Space began to function, on the basis of which the formation of the EAEU was planned.

In May 2014, an agreement on the establishment of this organization was agreed between the heads of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus. In fact, it came into force at the beginning of 2015. In connection with this fact, the EurAsEC was liquidated.

Participating countries

Initially, the founding countries of the EurAsEC organization were the states that were most interested in economic integration in the region. These are Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia. Later they were joined by Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

Thus, at the moment, the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union are represented by five countries.

Extension

The single Eurasian Economic Union is not a structure with immutable borders. Hypothetically, any country that meets the requirements of the organization can become a member. So, in January 2015, Armenia became a member of the union, and in August Kyrgyzstan joined the organization.

The most likely contender for joining the community is Tajikistan. This country closely cooperates with the EAEU states within the framework of other regional organizations and does not remain aloof from integration processes. Tajikistan is a member of the CIS, the Collective Defense Organization of the CSTO, at one time was a full member of the EurAsEC community, which ceased to exist after the start of the functioning of the EAEU. In 2014, the President of Tajikistan announced the need to study the issue of the possibility of the country joining the EAEU.

In 2012-2013, negotiations were held on a possible future entry into the organization of Ukraine, since regional cooperation without this country, according to experts, could not give the maximum effect. But the political elite of the state was determined to integrate in the European direction. After the overthrow of the Yanukovych government in 2014, the likelihood of Ukraine joining the EAEU can only be real in the long term.

Governing bodies

Members of the Eurasian Economic Union formed the governing bodies of this international organization.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the governing body of the EAEU of the highest degree. It includes heads representing the states of the Eurasian Economic Union. This body decides all the most important issues of a strategic nature. He holds a meeting once a year. Decisions are taken exclusively by unanimity. The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union are obliged to comply with all resolutions of the Supreme Council of the EAEU.

Naturally, a body that meets once a year cannot fully ensure the continuous functioning of the entire organization. For these purposes, a commission of the Eurasian Economic Union (Eurasian Economic Commission) was created. The tasks of this structure include the preparation and implementation of specific integration measures, which are provided for by the general development strategy developed by the Supreme Council. At the moment, the Commission employs 1,071 people who have received the status of international employees.

The Board is the executive body of the commission. It consists of fourteen people. In fact, each of them is an analogue of ministers in national governments and is responsible for a specific area of ​​activity: the economy, energy, customs cooperation, trade, etc.

Economic interaction

The main goal of creating the EAEU is to deepen economic integration between the countries of the region. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the tasks of the organization, the economy is in the first place.

Within the boundaries of the organization, the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union, adopted back in 2010, before the start of the functioning of the EAEU, operates. It provides for the free movement of goods without customs control on the territory of all countries of the organization.

The use of economic instruments provided for by the EAEU development concept is designed to reduce the cost of goods that cross the border due to the absence of a customs margin on them; increase competition, which should cause an increase in product quality; bring tax legislation in all countries to a common denominator; increase the GDP of the members of the organization and the well-being of their citizens.

Criticism

At the same time, there are many critical reviews of the work of the EAEU among economic analysts. Moreover, both ardent opponents of the existence of such an organization and its moderate supporters have them.

Thus, the fact that the project was actually launched before all the nuances of its mechanisms were worked out and agreements were reached on the prospects of the EAEU was criticized. It is also noted that in fact the union pursues not so much economic goals as political ones, and in economic terms it is not beneficial for all its members, including Russia.

prospects

At the same time, the prospects for the EAEU, given the right choice of economic course and the coordination of actions between the participants, look pretty good. A significant economic effect is noticeable even under the conditions of sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries. In the future, it is planned that the effect of participation in the EAEU will be expressed in a 25 percent increase in GDP for all its participants.

In addition, there is a possibility of further expansion of the organization. Many countries of the world are interested in cooperation with the EAEU without joining the union. For example, a free trade zone will soon start operating between the community and Vietnam. Interest in establishing such relations was also expressed by the governments of Iran, China, India, Egypt, Pakistan and a number of other states.

Subtotals

It is too early to talk about how successful the implementation of the EAEU was, because the organization has been functioning for a little over a year. At the same time, certain intermediate results can be summed up right now.

It is even a great achievement that the organization really works, and is not just a structure created just for show. This is especially significant in the context of international economic sanctions against the country, which, in fact, is the cementing basis of the union - Russia.

At the same time, despite many positive aspects, it should be noted that the EAEU still does not function as clearly as it would be desirable for those who saw the future of this organization only in a rainbow color. There are many disagreements both at the level of the top management of the participating countries, and in terms of agreeing on small details, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the economic return of this project as a whole.

But let's hope that the shortcomings will be resolved over time, and the EAEU will turn into a clear mechanism that works effectively for the benefit of all its members.