Russia wants EAEU to expand, says Overchuk

Russia, its neighbors, and closest allies will thrive by building a common economic space in Eurasia. The end of globalization will not hinder but rather accelerate integration within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

“Our countries are jointly strengthening transport and logistics links both within the EAEU and with our closest neighbors. We are implementing a project to connect the EAEU with China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, and we are jointly developing the International North-South Transport Corridor, as well as other intercontinental land routes, which will allow us to better realize our competitive advantages in Greater Eurasia,” Overchuk said.

According to him, Russia would like to expand the EAEU primarily by including countries from which the largest number of emigrants come, due to the lack of labor migration restrictions.

“The demographic situation, labor demand, and its cost are such that to develop the economy and curb inflation, it is necessary to attract working migrants,” Overchuk explained.

He added that part of this issue can be addressed through the implementation of advanced technologies and increasing labor productivity, but this is a long-term solution requiring investments, which are particularly expensive today.

“The EAEU law facilitates some easing of tensions related to the movement of labor between member states. It allows citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, working outside their countries, to enjoy the same rights as the citizens of the country where they work,” Overchuk noted.

Minsk will chair the EAEU in 2025. On Dec. 26, 2024, at the organization’s summit, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko proposed holding the next meeting of the union’s leaders in Minsk and combining this event with the Eurasian Economic Forum.