EAEU May Add More Observers, but New Membership Is Not on the Agenda
Economy
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) may soon gain several new observer states, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said. At the same time, he said the bloc is not currently considering expanding its membership by admitting new full members.
Pankin stressed that observer status does not impose an obligation on a country to join the union. In his view, the format is primarily intended to deepen cooperation and does not imply eventual full membership.
Uzbekistan was granted EAEU observer status in December 2020. Iran and Cuba are also currently listed among the bloc’s observer states.
Meanwhile, the EAEU continues to expand its external trade network. The union has concluded free-trade agreements with a number of partners, while negotiations and domestic procedures are continuing with other countries. The EAEU–United Arab Emirates agreement is among the trade arrangements already concluded.
Another area under consideration is a potential free-trade agreement between the EAEU and Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan have established a joint working group to assess the feasibility of such an agreement. According to the information provided, the process could take 12–18 months.
The EAEU was established in 2015 and comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Observer status allows representatives of the respective country to attend EAEU bodies’ meetings by invitation, but does not grant voting rights in decision-making.
Uzbekistan was granted EAEU observer status in December 2020. Iran and Cuba are also currently listed among the bloc’s observer states.
Meanwhile, the EAEU continues to expand its external trade network. The union has concluded free-trade agreements with a number of partners, while negotiations and domestic procedures are continuing with other countries. The EAEU–United Arab Emirates agreement is among the trade arrangements already concluded.
Another area under consideration is a potential free-trade agreement between the EAEU and Pakistan. Russia and Pakistan have established a joint working group to assess the feasibility of such an agreement. According to the information provided, the process could take 12–18 months.
The EAEU was established in 2015 and comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Observer status allows representatives of the respective country to attend EAEU bodies’ meetings by invitation, but does not grant voting rights in decision-making.
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