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{{Short description|Economic union of countries in Eurasia}}{{see|Eurasian economic integration|Common Economic Space of the Commonwealth of Independent States}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
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| established_event2 = [[Eurasian Economic Community|Economic Community]]
| established_date2 = {{nowrap|10 October 2000}}
| established_event3 = [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]]
| established_date3 = {{nowrap|1 January 2010}}
| established_event4 = Establishment agreed
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==History==
[[File:Timeline of EAEU Integration - WTO.png|thumb|Timeline of EAEU Integration from the [[World Trade Organization]] report
|url=https://docsonline.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/WT/REG/358-1.pdf&Open=True |title=Factual presentation
|website=wto.org|access-date=25 February 2024}}</ref> ]]
[[File:Customs Union between Russia and Belarus and the Customs Union with Kazakhstan in the database of international treaties of the Eurasian Economic Union.png|thumb|The 1995 Agreement on the bilateral Customs Union between Russia and Belarus<ref>{{Cite web |title=Правовой портал |url=https://docs.eaeunion.org/docs/ru-ru/0054920/itot_06112012 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=docs.eaeunion.org}}</ref> and the 1995 Agreement on the bilateral Customs Union between Kazakhstan and the combined customs territory of Russia and Belarus<ref>https://docs.eaeunion.org/docs/ru-ru/0055079/itot_06112012 {{bare URL inline|date=February 2024}}</ref> in the database of international treaties of the Eurasian Economic Union<ref>https://docs.eaeunion.org/en-us/pages/alldocuments.aspx#npbdocumentbelongstaxId=%5B%7B%22id%22%3A%22b591e83f-0f9a-4fce-8760-758ac7690c84%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22International%20treaties%22%7D%5D&sort=%22npbdocumentdate_ascending%22 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>]]
[[File:
[[File:Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) 29-May-2014.png|thumb|Regional Trade Agreements Database of the [[World Trade Organization]]<ref name="auto"/>]]
===Proposal===
In the 1990s, Russia and the Central Asian republics were weakened economically and faced declines in [[GDP]] as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. The member states of the union underwent economic reforms and [[privatisation]].<ref group=journal>{{cite web |title=Russian Federation|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/7/50/2452793.pdf|access-date=7 July 2014|website=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia Economic Conditions in Mid-1996|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ru0119)|publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> The process of Eurasian integration began immediately after the break-up of the Soviet Union. When the USSR [[August Coup|began to fall]] in 1991, the presidents of [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Russia]]<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal>{{cite web |title=Eurasian economic integration: figures and facts |website=Eurasian Economic Commission|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Documents/broshura26_ENGL_2014.pdf|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> of the founding republics signed the [[Belavezha Accords]] on 8 December 1991, declaring that the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union would cease to exist]] and proclaimed the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] in its place.
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In 1996, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed the Treaty on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields to begin economic integration between countries to allow for the creation of [[common markets]] for goods, services, capital, labour, and developing single transport, energy and information systems.<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal /><ref name=":4">{{cite web| url=http://evrazes.com/docs/view/120|title=TREATY between the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic on increased integration in economic and humanitarian fields of 29 March 1996|publisher=Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC)}}</ref>
In 1999, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan signed the Treaty on the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space by clarifying the goals and policies the states would undertake in order to form the [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]] and the Single Economic Space.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan are launching common economic space 1 Jan. |date=January 2012|url=http://en.ria.ru/russia/20120101/170583110.html|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=TREATY on the Customs union and the Common economic space of 26 February 1999| url=http://evrazes.com/docs/view/128|publisher=Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC)}}</ref>
===Eurasian Economic Community (2000–2014)===
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===Establishing the customs union and single market (2010–2014)===
{{main|Customs Union of the Eurasian
[[File:Session of Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.jpg|thumb|left|A session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (composed of the union's heads of state) is held at least once every year.|270px]]
The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia (now the [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]]) came into existence on 1 January 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/93507/russia-belarus-and-kazakhstan-agree-on-customs-union.html|title=Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan Agree on Customs Union|work=Turkish Weekly|date=5 December 2009|access-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704085214/http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/93507/russia-belarus-and-kazakhstan-agree-on-customs-union.html|archive-date=4 July 2014}}</ref> The Customs Union's priorities were the elimination of intra-bloc tariffs, establishing a common external tariff policy and the elimination of non-tariff barriers. It was launched as a first step towards forming a broader single market inspired by the [[European Union]], with the objective of forming an alliance between [[Post-Soviet states|former Soviet states]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/soviet-union-to-be-restored-in-the-form-of-new-cus-55474.html|title= Soviet Union to be restored in the form of new customs union|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=18 December 2009|access-date=1 July 2014}}</ref> The member states planned to continue with economic integration and were set to remove all [[customs border]]s between each other after July 2011.
On 1 January 2012, the three states established the [[Eurasian Economic Space]] which ensures the effective functioning of a [[single market]] for goods, services, capital and labour, and to establish coherent industrial, transport, energy and agricultural policies.<ref name="Glazyev">[http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/ukraines_association_with_eu_rules_out_participation_in_customs_union___putin_aide_305195 Ukraine cannot get observer status at Eurasian Econ Union due to Association Agreement with EU, Russia], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (14 June 2013)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cistranfinance.com/news/belarus-eases-current-account-deficit-with-customs-union-common-economic-space/360/ |title=Belarus eases current account deficit with Customs Union, Common Economic Space |last1=Barron |first1=Lisa |publisher=Cistran Finance |date=1 October 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013}}</ref> The agreement included a [[plan|roadmap]] for future integration and established the [[Eurasian Economic Commission]] (modelled on the [[European Commission]]).<ref name="bbc18Nov2011" /><ref name="tut.by">{{cite news |script-title=ru:Евразийские комиссары получат статус федеральных министров |url=http://news.tut.by/politics/259307.html |newspaper=[[Tut.By]] |language=ru |date=17 November 2011 |access-date=19 November 2011 |archive-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009110040/https://news.tut.by/politics/259307.html }}</ref> The Eurasian Economic Commission serves as the regulatory agency for the Eurasian Customs Union, the Single Economic Space and the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref name="Glazyev" />
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===Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022)===
{{Main|Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
As a result of Russia's [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]], the US and EU placed sanctions upon Russia and Belarus.<ref name="TimurSuleimenov">{{cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/interview/kazakh-official-we-will-not-risk-being-placed-in-the-same-basket-as-russia/|title=Kazakh official: We will not risk being placed in the same basket as Russia|last=Gotev|first=Georgi|date=29 March 2022|website=[[Euractiv]]|access-date=1 April 2022}}</ref> On 10 March
On
==Membership==
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The treaty establishing the Eurasian Economic Union was formally signed by three states which were part of the former [[Soviet Union]]: [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Russia]].<ref>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/201515a4-ef4e-11e0-918b-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss Putin's Eurasian push challenges west] by Neil Buckley, Financial Times, 6 October 2011.</ref><ref name="euractiv">{{cite news |title=Moscow fleshes out 'Eurasian Union' plans |url=http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/moscow-fleshes-eurasian-union-pl-news-509042 |newspaper=EurActiv |date=17 November 2011 |access-date=19 November 2011}}</ref> Agreements to enlarge the EAEU to the other post-Soviet states of [[Armenia]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]] were signed on 9 October and 23 December 2014, respectively.<ref name=ratifysoon/><ref name=kyrsign/><ref name=kyrsign2>{{cite web|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/12/23/eurasian-economic-union-is-born-burdened-by-russian-crisis/|title=Eurasian Economic Union is born burdened by Russian crisis|website=Fox News Latino|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite news|url = http://www.kazpravda.kz/en/news/view/27673|title = Kyrgyz government approved the roadmap for accession to the CES|date = 9 October 2014|access-date = 7 December 2014|publisher = Kazakhstan Pravda|quote = As reported the department of information support of the government apparatus of the country, on the eve Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev held a meeting of the government, which discussed the action plan (roadmap) for accession of Kyrgyzstan to CES of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia in view of the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union, informed BELTA.}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news|url = http://en.tengrinews.kz/politics_sub/Agreement-on-Kyrgyzstans-accession-to-Customs-Union-to-be-signed-in-December-257392/|title = Agreement on Kyrgyzstan's accession to Customs Union to be signed in December|date = 11 November 2014|access-date = 7 December 2014|publisher = Tengri News|quote = The agreement on Kyrgyzstan's accession into the Customs Union [of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus] is expected to be signed 23 December, Russia's [[RIA Novosti]] reports, citing Sapar Issakov, Vice Head of the Kyrgyz President's Staff.}}</ref> For Kyrgyzstan, facilitation of labour migration regulations with Russia was seen as the main benefit of joining the Eurasian Economic Union. The population migration indicator had an inverse dependence with [[GDP per capita]], [[consumer price index]], [[minimum wage]], and [[unemployment rate]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Todorov|first1= G. N.|last2= Kalinina|first2= A. V.|last3=Rybakova|first3=A. I|url=https://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/197|title=Impact of labour migration on entrepreneurship ecosystem: case of Eurasian Economic Union|journal=Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues|volume=5 |issue=4|via=DOAJ|doi=10.9770/jesi.2018.5.4(20)|date=June 30, 2018|pages= 992–1007|s2cid= 56377046|issn= 2345-0282|oclc=7756911602|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Armenia announced its decision to join the [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]] in September 2013. [[President of Armenia|President]] [[Serj Sargsyan]] announced the decision after talks with his Russian counterpart President [[Vladimir Putin]] in [[Moscow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/eu-loses-armenia-russia-customs-news-530224|title=EU loses Armenia to Russia's Customs Union|website=EurActiv – EU News & policy debates, across languages|date=4 September 2013|access-date=25 September 2014}}</ref> The treaty enlarging the EAEU to Armenia was signed on 9 October 2014.<ref name=":14" /> By signing this contract, Armenia has accepted corresponding application, and thereby gained access to the EAEU single market with a population of 170 million citizens.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Armenia is now in the Eurasian Economic Union|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/nae/news/Pages/02-01-2015-1.aspx|access-date=2021-05-13|website=www.eurasiancommission.org|language=en-us}}</ref> Armenia is the only country of the EAEU that has no common border with the other member states of the union. [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] guaranteed a free transit corridor for exporting its goods to the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenian deputy economic minister Emil Tarasyan stated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asbarez.com/129320/georgia-ready-to-provide-armenia-free-route-to-eeu/|title=Georgia Ready to Provide Armenia Free Route to EEU|website=asbarez.com|date=26 November 2014 |access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
[[Moldova]] was granted Observer Status in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/moldova-granted-observer-status-in-eurasian-union/|title=Moldova granted observer status in Eurasian Union|date=19 April 2017}}</ref>
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{{Quote box|align=left|width=350px|quote=It took Europe 40 years to move from the European Coal and Steel Community to the full European Union. The establishment of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space is proceeding at a much faster pace because we could draw on the experience of the EU and other regional associations. We see their strengths and weaknesses. And this is our obvious advantage since it means we are in a position to avoid mistakes and unnecessary bureaucratic superstructures.|source='''— Vladimir Putin, "A new integration project for Eurasia: The future in the making"''', Izvestia, 3 October 2011<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vladimir|first1=Putin|title=A new integration project for Eurasia: The future in the making|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2009_2014/documents/d-ru/dv/dru_2013_0320_06_/dru_2013_0320_06_en.pdf|website=European Parliament website|access-date=17 March 2017|date=4 October 2011}}</ref> }}
[[Uzbekistan]] has been hesitant to join the Economic Union, with Uzbek officials making opposing claims on the prospect of integration.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/top-uzbek-officials-make-opposing-claims-on-customs-union/489561.html|title = Top Uzbek Officials Make Opposing Claims on Customs Union|date = 14 November 2014|access-date = 31 August 2014|website = The Moscow Times|archive-date = 17 October 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141017110548/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/top-uzbek-officials-make-opposing-claims-on-customs-union/489561.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://en.ria.ru/world/20131113/184685113/Uzbek-Official-Pours-Cold-Water-on-Customs-Union-Membership.html|title = Uzbek Official Pours Cold Water on Customs Union Membership|last = Babushkin|first = Alexey|date = 13 November 2013|access-date = 31 August 2014|publisher = [[RIA Novosti]]}}</ref> Originally, the country preferred not to pursue economic and political integration.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.opendemocracy.net/od-russia/simon-schmidt/uzbekistan-prefers-regime-security-over-economic-integration|title = Uzbekistan prefers regime security over economic integration|last = Schmidt|first = Simon|date = 1 July 2014|access-date = 31 August 2014|publisher = Open Democracy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/08/21/armenia-eeu-social-economic-assessment-2/|title = Armenia and the EEU: A Social and Economic Assessment|last = Torikian|first = Aren|date = 21 August 2014|access-date = 31 August 2014|newspaper = The Armenian Weekly|quote = Azerbaijan has also withdrawn any interest in the deal, as have Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.thewashingtonreview.org/articles/russias-policy-of-integration-in-central-asia.html|title = Russia's Policy of Integration in Central Asia|last = B. Assanbayev|first = Mukhit|date = October 2013|access-date = 31 August 2014|publisher = The Washington Review of Turkish and Eurasian Affairs|quote = Since Uzbekistan has no interest in joining the integration projects with Russia, Tajikistan's participation in the Customs Union remains a question.|archive-date = 3 September 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903085306/http://www.thewashingtonreview.org/articles/russias-policy-of-integration-in-central-asia.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> Russian officials have stated that integration with the country would be slow and analysts state that as Russian influence and trade increases in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan it may persuade Uzbekistan to join in the future.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://iwpr.net/report-news/kyrgyzstan-gets-soft-terms-customs-union-entry|title = Kyrgyzstan Gets Soft Terms for Customs Union Entry|last = Dyatlenko|first = Pavel|date = 6 June 2014|access-date = 31 August 2014|publisher = Institute for War and Peace Reporting|archive-date = 3 September 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140903092324/http://iwpr.net/report-news/kyrgyzstan-gets-soft-terms-customs-union-entry}}</ref> Uzbekistan began its integration process when Russia announced it would write off US$865 million off debt owed by the country. Uzbekistan joined the [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area]] in 2014, meaning it has free trade with EAEU member states.<ref>{{cite news|title=Post-Soviet integration processes to benefit Moscow–Tashkent relations – Putin|url=http://itar-tass.com/en/economy/766223|access-date=30 December 2014|publisher=Tass|date=10 December 2014|quote=Russia will start talks with Uzbekistan on a free trade zone between the post-Soviet trade bloc and the Central Asian republic, Putin said on Wednesday.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Russia Cozies Up to Uzbekistan With $865 Million Debt Write-Off|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-cozies-up-to-uzbekistan-with-865-million-debt-write-off/513096.html|access-date=30 December 2014|newspaper=The Moscow Times|date=10 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228225231/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-cozies-up-to-uzbekistan-with-865-million-debt-write-off/513096.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.azernews.az/region/65752.html Uzbekistan joins CIS free trade zone], azernews.az. Retrieved 23 June 2016.</ref> According to some sources, Uzbekistan does not intend to become a full member of the EAEU,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mirzieev svernul s dorogi v EAES|url=https://vesti.uz/mirzieev-svernul-s-dorogi-v-eaes/|access-date=25 January 2020|publisher=Vesti.uz|date=27 January 2020}}</ref> due to Uzbekistan's neutrality which is enshrined in the country's legislation. In March 2020, Uzbekistan announced that it wished to become a Eurasian Union observer state.<ref name=UzbekistanMarch2020>{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-observer-of-russia-led-trade-bloc/30474675.html|title=Uzbekistan Says It Will Be 'Observer' Of Russia-Led Trade Bloc|date=2020-03-07|access-date=2020-03-07|publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}</ref> In September 2023, Uzbekistan estimated that it will join EAEU in 2–3 years.<ref>{{cite web |date=Sep 4, 2023 |title=Uzbekistan Moving Closer To Joining The Eurasian Economic Union |url=https://www.silkroadbriefing.com/news/2023/09/04/uzbekistan-moving-closer-to-joining-the-eurasian-economic-union/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925221603/https://www.silkroadbriefing.com/news/2023/09/04/uzbekistan-moving-closer-to-joining-the-eurasian-economic-union/ |archive-date=Sep 25, 2023}}</ref> In October 2024, the chair of a parliamentary commission examining the potential for Uzbekistan to join the EAEU as a full member stated that "our conclusion is that Uzbekistan is best served by maintaining its observer status."<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://kun.uz/en/news/2024/10/18/akmal-saidov-uzbekistan-will-not-join-military-alliances-or-allow-foreign-bases-on-its-territory|title=Akmal Saidov: Uzbekistan will not join military alliances or allow foreign bases on its territory|date=2024-10-18|accessdate=2024-10-19|publisher=Kun.uz}}</ref>
[[Moldova]], [[Ukraine]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] have been offered by both the [[European Union]] and the Eurasian Economic Union to join their integration unions. All three countries signed Association Agreements with the EU on 21 March 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-430_en.htm|title = The EU's Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine|date = 23 June 2014|access-date = 30 August 2014|website = Official website of the European Union}}</ref> However, break-away regions of Moldova ([[Transnistria]]),<ref>{{cite web|title=Russian Deputy Foreign Minister pleas for Transnistria's integration in Customs Union|url=http://actmedia.eu/daily/russian-deputy-foreign-minister-pleas-for-transnistria-s-integration-in-customs-union/52593|access-date=8 July 2014}}</ref> Ukraine ([[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]]){{citation needed|date=May 2023}} and Georgia ([[South Ossetia]] and [[Abkhazia]]){{citation needed|date=May 2023}} have expressed a desire to join the Eurasian Customs Union and integrate into the Eurasian Economic Union. Association Agreements with the EU are exclusionary to EAEU observer status, as in 2017 Moldova became the EAEU's first observer state and has attended EAEU forums in years since.
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==Politics and governance==
[[File:Decision making process of the Eurasian Customs Union and the Single Economic Space.jpg|thumb|250px|Current decision-making process of the [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]] and the Single Economic Space<ref>{{cite web|title=Decision making process in the Eurasian Economic Commission|url=http://eurasiancommission.org/en/nae/news/Pages/16-05-2014-5.aspx|publisher=Eurasian Commission|access-date=27 August 2014|language=ru|date=27 March 2014}}</ref>]]
The Eurasian Economic Union has sought to base its model on the [[European Union]]. All institutions carry out their work in compliance with the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and the international agreements that provide the legal and regulatory framework of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space.
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==Economy==
{| border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="float:right
[[File:GDP PPP 2021 Selection.svg|270px|thumb|Selection of GDP PPP data (top 10 countries and [[Trade bloc|blocs]]) in no particular order]]▼
|-
|<timeline>
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color:blue width:37
bar:China from:start till:34.64
bar:US from:start till:27.36
bar:India from:start till:14.53
bar:Russia from:start till:6.45
bar:Kazakhstan from:start till:0.78
bar:Belarus from:start till:0.28
bar:Armenia from:start till:0.06
bar:KG≈TJ from:start till:0.05
bar:UZ from:start till:0.35
bar:EAEU+2 from:start till:8.02
PlotData =
bar:China at:36.04 fontsize:S text: 34.64 shift:(-9,0)
bar:US at:29.53 fontsize:S text: 27.36 shift:(-10,0)
bar:India at:15.34 fontsize:S text: 14.53 shift:(-10,0)
bar:Russia at:7.22 fontsize:S text: 6.45 shift:(-9,0)
bar:Kazakhstan at:2 fontsize:S text: 0.78 shift:(-9,0)
bar:Belarus at:2 fontsize:S text: 0.28 shift:(-9,0)
bar:Armenia at:2 fontsize:S text: 0.06 shift:(-9,0)
bar:KG≈TJ at:2 fontsize:S text: 0.05 shift:(-9,0)
bar:UZ at:2 fontsize:S text: 0.35 shift:(-10,0)
bar:EAEU+2 at:9 fontsize:S text: 8.02 shift:(-10,0)
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</timeline>
|-
|style="text-align:center; font-size:70%;"|Top-4 largest economies (China, the US, India, Russia) in the world by [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]] GDP in 2023<br />according to the [[World Bank]], the members of the Eurasian Economic Union as well as<br />[[Tajikistan]] and [[Uzbekistan]] that are forming a [[Common Economic Space of the Commonwealth of Independent States|common market within the CIS]] (EAEU+2).<ref>https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true</ref>
▲|}[[File:GDP PPP 2021 Selection.svg|270px|thumb|Selection of GDP PPP data (top 10 countries and [[Trade bloc|blocs]]) in no particular order]]
===Internal market overview===
[[File:Moscow-City (36211143494).jpg|250px|left|thumbnail|The [[Moscow International Business Center]] is a commercial district in [[Moscow]] that is currently under construction. The complex includes some of [[List of tallest buildings in Europe|Europe's tallest skyscrapers]].]]▼
The Treaty on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields signed in 1996 laid the first foundation for economic convergence. The treaty ensured the creation of a permanent executive organ to oversee integration of states that later would be part of the EAEU. It served as the blueprint for the future common market for goods, services, capital and labour.<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal /><ref name=":4" /> The [[Eurasian Economic Space|Single Economic Space]] established a [[single market]] across the territory of [[Belarus]], [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]]. In 2015 with the entry into force of the EAEU Agreement, the single market was expanded to include [[Armenia]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. The countries represent a market of some 180 million people and a combined [[GDP PPP]] of around $5 trillion.
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Eurasian Economic Union has the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|tenth-largest economy]] in the world by nominal GDP and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth-largest]] by [[purchasing power parity]].
Since the turn of the century, member states have experienced economic growth with GDP averaging 6% to 8% growth between 2000 and 2007, rising again in 2010 after the [[Financial crisis of 2007–08]].
Since the establishment of the [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]] in 2010, trade between member states rose sharply. In 2011 mutual trade was $63 billion, 33.9% more than in 2010. In 2012, mutual trade was $68 billion and combined exports reached $594 billion, while imports were $341 billion.<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal /> The first integration stage primarily enhanced trade among member states, bolstered economies and created a legal and institutional foundation for the member states. The second stage includes the free movements of goods, people, services and capital.
The Eurasian Economic Union is designed to reach a number of macroeconomic objectives such as reducing commodity prices by reducing the cost of transportation of [[raw materials]], increasing return on new technologies and products due to the increased market volume, and promoting "healthy" competition in the [[common market]]. It is also designed to lower food prices, increase employment in industries and increase production capacity. EAEU members like Belarus and Kazakhstan (by its [[Nurly Zhol]] economic policy) seek to leverage the EAEU as a bridge between the European Union and the New Silk Road economic belt.<ref name="tvr">{{cite news |title=Alexander Lukashenko meets with new Chairman of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission |url=http://www.tvr.by/eng/news/prezident/aleksandr_lukashenko_vstretilsya_s_novym_predsedatelem_kollegii_evraziyskoy_ekonomicheskoy_komissii/ |agency=TVR}}</ref>
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<gallery heights="140px">
▲
File:Spb 06-2017 img01 Spit of Vasilievsky Island.jpg|[[Saint Petersburg]], the second-largest city and cultural capital of [[Russia]]
File:Mount Ararat and the Yerevan skyline (June 2018).jpg|[[Yerevan]], the capital and financial hub of [[Armenia]]
File:Almaty, Kok-tobe exposition 3.jpg|[[Almaty]], the major commercial and cultural centre of [[Kazakhstan]]
File:Bischkek.jpg|[[Bishkek]], the capital and financial hub of [[Kyrgyzstan]]
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===Customs Union and Four Economic Freedoms===
{{main|Customs Union of the Eurasian
[[File:Знак EAC на креме для бритья.JPG|thumb|The [[Eurasian Conformity mark]] EAC
The core objective of the Single Economic Space is the development of a [[single market]] and achieving the "four freedoms", namely the free movements of goods, capital, services and people within the single market. The four freedoms came into effect on 1 January 2015 (the day the Eurasian Economic Union was officially established). The free movement of people means that citizens can move freely among member states to live, work, study or retire.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Citizens of the member states of the union may travel to other member states on an [[internal passport]]. Although Russia also admits access to citizens of other [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] states without a passport, it is expected that after 2015 only citizens of the Customs Union will have this privilege.<ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://ria.ru/society/20121212/914456159.html Путин: въезд в РФ должен быть разрешен только по загранпаспортам] (Putin: passports will be required for entering Russia), 12 December 2012</ref>
Member states have a [[common external tariff]] on all goods entering the market and unified methods of valuing imported goods since the creation of the [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]] on 1 January 2010.
Objectives include joint coordination in the area of energy, industry, agriculture and transport.
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===Infrastructure===
[[File:Trans-Siberia048.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[Trans-Siberian Railway]] is a vital link between the Russian Far East and the rest of Eurasia.]]
The major economic centres are [[Moscow]], [[Minsk]] and [[Astana]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} The distance between Moscow and Minsk is 717 kilometers, and the distance between Moscow and Astana is 2700 kilometers, making infrastructure a key challenge for the integration of member states. Major infrastructure projects began during the 2000s in order to modernise and connect the regional bloc to other markets, facilitating both integration and trade in the region. In 2007 Moscow announced it will invest US$1 trillion by 2020 to modernise the country's infrastructure.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia to spend $1 trillion on infrastructure|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/russia-investment-idUKL2121712020070921|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130032119/http://uk.reuters.com/article/russia-investment-idUKL2121712020070921|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 January 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia: A Snapshot|url=http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/capital-projects-infrastructure/assets/russia-snapshot.pdf|date=2013|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>
[[Kazakhstan]] ranks favorably in terms of kilometres of road per inhabitant as other developed countries in the world have much less roadway per inhabitant.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan – Infrastructure, power, and communications|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Kazakhstan-INFRASTRUCTURE-POWER-AND-COMMUNICATIONS.html|website=Encyclopedia of the Nations|access-date=6 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/utility/printdocument.aspx?id=1G2:3410100141|website=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=6 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120093720/http://www.encyclopedia.com/utility/printdocument.aspx?id=1G2:3410100141|archive-date=20 January 2015}}</ref>
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===Projected economic impact===
[[File:EAEU GDP per capita.svg|thumb|650px|Past and projected GDP (nominal) per capita in EAEU countries
Member states remain optimistic of the union and key partners in the region, namely [[China]], [[Iran]], [[Turkey]] remain interested in it. A common belief is that the Eurasian Economic Union has significant potential over the next two decades, with experts predicting a 25 percent growth in the member states' GDP by 2030, which equates to over US$600 billion.<ref name=leb>{{cite web|title=Leaders of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus to meet in Astana to sign agreement establishing EEU|url=http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/27182/Leaders-of-Kazakhstan-Russia-and-Belarus-to-meet-in-Astana-to-sign-agreement-establishing-EEU|publisher=Lebanese government}}</ref> The agreement will give member state citizens access to employment and education across the union. It will also entail collaborative policies in many sectors, including agriculture, energy, technology and transportation.<ref name=WaPost /> These collaborative policies are particularly interesting for countries in [[Asia]] seeking access to energy, trade routes in Central Asia and Siberia, and agricultural goods.
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Neighbouring Kazakhstan has replicated Russia's attempt to access East Asian markets. In September 2013, the presidents of China and Kazakhstan signed commercial deals and launched China's "New Silk Road". On 20 May 2014, both presidents announced they would link Kazakhstan's railways to the [[Pacific Ocean]] by opening a new terminal in the Chinese port city of [[Lianyungang]]. China also signed agreements to make further investments in Kazakhstan's energy sector. Both countries announced they would put aside US$1 billion to modernise an oil refinery in [[Shymkent]] and a further US$150 million to open a new oil and gas plant near [[Almaty]].
The president of Kazakhstan also held talks with the heads of Chinese corporations and agreed to cooperate in the areas of [[Aerospace manufacturer|aircraft production]], [[telecommunication]] and [[mining]].<ref group=journal>{{cite journal|last1=Ernesto|first1=Gallo|title=Kazakhstan's "Pivot to China"?|journal=Policy Brief|date=4 June 2014|issue=154|url=http://www.isdp.eu/images/stories/isdp-main-pdf/2014-gallo-kazakhstans-pivot-to-china.pdf|access-date=4 September 2014}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
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The Union has signed a first free trade agreement<ref>{{cite news|url = http://rbth.com/business/2016/05/12/fta-bodes-well-for-vietnam-eurasian-union-economic-ties-experts_592315|title = FTA bodes well for Vietnam-Eurasian Union economic ties- experts|date = 12 May 2016|access-date = 2016-06-07|newspaper = [[Russia Beyond the Headlines]]}}</ref> with Vietnam, which is planned to enter into force in October 2016 following the ratification by all the parties.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Seminar discusses ways to optimise Vietnam-EAEU FTA|url = http://www.vietnambreakingnews.com/2015/08/seminar-discusses-ways-to-optimise-vietnam-eaeu-fta/|access-date = 2015-10-06|last = vovnews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Vietnam FTA – Eurasian alliance: wide doors|url = http://www.baomoi.com/FTA-Viet-Nam-lien-minh-A-Au-Cua-rong-nhung-khong-de-vao/c/17004039.epi|access-date = 2015-10-06|last = baomoi.com}}</ref>
Having completed a free trade agreement (FTA) feasibility study for Vietnam in November 2012<ref name="english.thesaigontimes.vn">{{cite web|url=http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/business/vietnam-economy/25534/|title=Vietnam to start FTA talks with Customs Union in 2013|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103233300/http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/business/vietnam-economy/25534/|archive-date=3 November 2014}}</ref> the then Customs Union, which later became the EAEU, decided to proceed with negotiations. The negotiations over the FTA began in early 2013 and lasted approximately two years – on 29 May 2015 the agreement was signed by Prime Ministers of all the parties to be later ratified by the parties. Trade between Vietnam and the Customs Union in 2011 was US$2.24 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://talkvietnam.com/2012/12/vietnam-and-customs-union-eye-stronger-trade-ties/|title=Vietnam and Customs Union eye stronger trade ties|author=qdnd|website=TalkVietnam|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-date=3 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103224226/http://www.talkvietnam.com/2012/12/vietnam-and-customs-union-eye-stronger-trade-ties/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Russia's economic development minister stated that the Turkish economic minister, [[Nihat Zeybekci]], put forward an initiative for closer cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union, including the formation of a [[free trade zone]] between the union and [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey May Create Free Trade Zone with Eurasian Customs Union – Development Minister|date=19 July 2014 |url=http://en.ria.ru/politics/20140719/191039085/Turkey-May-Create-Free-Trade-Zone-with-Eurasian-Customs-Union-.html|access-date=26 July 2014}}</ref>
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=== Third-country EAEU Agreements ===
[[File:EAEU Trade Agreements.png|thumb|Trade Agreements of the Eurasian Economic Union on the official website in 2024<ref>https://eec.eaeunion.org/en/comission/department/dotp/torgovye-soglasheniya/</ref>.]]
After
<ref name="consultant.ru">{{cite web | url=https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_163855/9fa1f4a7aeac9e996f0cd388105974c1b849933a/#dst100334 | title=Статья 35. Режим свободной торговли \ КонсультантПлюс }}</ref>
According to the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the EAEU has signed bilateral (one of the parties is the "Eurasian Economic Union and its Member States") agreements with<ref name="The EAEU Trade Agreements">{{cite web | url=https://eec.eaeunion.org/en/comission/department/dotp/torgovye-soglasheniya/ | title=The EAEU Trade Agreements }}</ref>
* [[Vietnam]]<ref>{{cite web|title=VN–EEU FTA to come into force since 5 October|date=19 August 2016 |url=http://news.chinhphu.vn/Home/VNEEU-FTA-to-come-into-force-since-October-5/20168/28157.vgp|access-date=4 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wtocenter.vn/other-agreement/vietnam-eurasian-economic-union-fta-full-content|title=Vietnam - Eurasian Economic Union FTA (full content) | WTO and International trade Policies|date=6 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006042130/http://wtocenter.vn/other-agreement/vietnam-eurasian-economic-union-fta-full-content |accessdate=25 February 2024|archive-date=6 October 2015 }}</ref> (signed on 29 May
* [[Iran]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/OTQ4OTMyMTAx|title=HKTDC Research|website=research.hktdc.com}}</ref> (the Interim Agreement was signed on 17 May
* [[China]] (signed on 17 May
* [[Serbia]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.b92.net/biz/vesti/svet.php?yyyy=2019&mm=06&dd=06&nav_id=1551457 | title=Sporazum 1. Oktobra: Za Srbiju se otvara tržište od 180 miliona ljudi | date=6 June 2019 }}</ref> (signed on 25 October
* [[Singapore]] (the EAEU-Singapore Framework Agreement and the EAEU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement were signed
Officially, agreements with Egypt, India,<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 December 2019|title=Russia hopeful of India's free trade pact with EAEU|language=en|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/russia-hopeful-of-indias-free-trade-pact-with-eaeu/article30384075.ece|access-date=2021-07-09}}</ref><ref>[https://ficci.in/spdocument/20978/India-EAEU-FTA-Survey-Report-revised.pdf India EAEU FTA Survey Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126072416/https://ficci.in/spdocument/20978/India-EAEU-FTA-Survey-Report-revised.pdf |date=26 January 2022 }} [[Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry]] (FICCI). Accessed on 9 July 2021.</ref> Indonesia,
===Pre-2015 free trade in goods agreements===
{{main|List of bilateral free trade agreements|Commonwealth of Independent States Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area|Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area}}
[[File:CIS_Countries.PNG|thumb|The [[Commonwealth of Independent States Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area|1994 CIS FTA Agreement]] signatories (all 12 countries). As of 2023, multilateral free trade regime under the 1999 Protocol has entered into force for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine while Russia and Turkmenistan refused to participate.<ref name="cis.minsk.by">{{cite web | url=https://cis.minsk.by/reestrv2/doc/884#documentCard | title=Единый реестр правовых актов и других документов Содружества Независимых Государств }}</ref>]]
[[File:CISFTA (orthographic projection).svg|thumb|The 2011 [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area]] among [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Moldova]], [[Armenia]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Tajikistan]]
Although the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union have delegated their powers to conclude free trade ''in goods'' agreements to the supranational level according to the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (Article 35),<ref name="consultant.ru"/> the previous agreements with third countries concluded before 1 January 2015 continue to be in force (Article 102).<ref name="Статья 102. Переходные положения в">{{cite web | url=https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_163855/5612d6c0484a8192696030fd3f4c32dd293c3bb8/#dst101124 | title=Статья 102. Переходные положения в отношении раздела IX \ КонсультантПлюс }}</ref> According to the Article 102: "Member States have the right to unilaterally grant preferences in trade with a third party on the basis of an international agreement concluded by
The [[Commonwealth of Independent States Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area|1994 CIS FTA Agreement]], 1999 CIS FTA Protocol (multilateral free trade is in force among 10 countries) and [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area|2011 CIS FTA Treaty]] (multilateral free trade is in force among 9 countries) have signed by all members of the EAEU. The multilateral free trade regime under the 1999 Protocol is not applied by Russia at all. As of 2023, the Protocol has entered into force for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine and 1 reservation was made by Azerbaijan on non-application in relation to Armenia and 2 specific opinions were expressed by Georgia and Ukraine.<ref name="cis.minsk.by"/>
2011 [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area]] was negotiated before the establishment of the EEU on 1 January 2015. The CISFTA treaty came into force at different dates for every state. The treaty came into force in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia at different dates between September and December 2012. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan applied the treaty starting 13 December 2013. In force since 2012, the 2011 multilateral CIS Free Trade Zone Treaty establishes [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area|a free trade area]] between Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia (now all EAEU member states), as well as Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Tajikistan. Russia has suspended the Agreement with respect to Ukraine from 1 January 2016, following the provisional application of the [[DCFTA]] between the [[Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement|European Union and Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianbusinessbriefing.com/russia-suspends-fta-with-ukraine/|website=Eurasian Business Briefing|title=Russia suspends FTA with Ukraine as EU agreement looms|date=17 December 2015|access-date=24 December 2015|archive-date=25 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225080953/http://www.eurasianbusinessbriefing.com/russia-suspends-fta-with-ukraine/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ukraine did the same thing on
Thus, in addition to all previous multilateral agreements, the following agreements apply on a bilateral basis according to the article 102. Bilateral free trade agreements with Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Serbia and Montenegro
=== Cooperation, Trade in Services and Investment Agreements ===
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The 2015 EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement & Economic Integration Agreement covers trade in goods and trade in services.<ref name="rtais.wto.org"/><ref name="economy.gov.ru"/>
The [[Armenia–EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement]] was signed by Armenia and all [[EU member states]] on 24 November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/documents-publications/treaties-agreements/agreement/?id=2017024|title=Agreement - Consilium|accessdate=25 February 2024}}</ref> The World Trade Organization classifies this agreement as an agreement on trade in services.<ref>https://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowMemberRTAIDCard.aspx?rtaid=849</ref>
Russia has concluded 82 agreements on mutual protection of investments and investment promotion, including agreements with Cambodia, Iran, Morocco and the State of Palestine, which were signed after
On 8 June 2023, in Sochi, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed the [[Commonwealth of Independent States Agreement on Free Trade in Services, Establishment, Operations and Investment]] to partly integrate Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on the common standards of the WTO ([[General Agreement on Trade in Services]]) and the EAEU even without their membership in the WTO (Uzbekistan) or the EAEU (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cis.minsk.by/reestrv2/doc/6738#documentCard | title=Единый реестр правовых актов и других документов Содружества Независимых Государств }}</ref> Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have not decided to join the EAEU, but bringing country's legislation to the EAEU common standards can be considered as the first step.
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Moscow said that the UAE is striving for a free trade agreement by the end of 2023 with the EAEU to include provisions on trade in services and investment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.ru/world/oae-rasschityvayut-do-konca-goda-dogovoritsya-o-svobodnoj-torgovle-s-eaes/|title=ОАЭ рассчитывают до конца года договориться о свободной торговле с ЕАЭС - NEWS.ru — 13.06.23|accessdate=25 February 2024}}</ref>
On 22 August 2024, Belarus and China signed an agreement on trade in services and investment. Belarus is the first EAEU country with which China has concluded such an agreement.<ref>https://www.sb.by/articles/belarus-i-kitay-podpisali-soglashenie-o-torgovle-uslugami-i-osushchestvlenii-investitsiy.html</ref><ref>https://belta.by/society/view/belarus-i-kitaj-podpisali-soglashenie-o-torgovle-uslugami-i-osuschestvlenii-investitsij-656061-2024/</ref>
=== Unilateral preferences for economic assistance ===
The EAEU has the Common System of Tariff Preferences for approved goods from 29 developing and 48 [[least-developed countries]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eec.eaeunion.org/en/comission/department/dotp/tariff_preferences.php | title=Regulatory and legal framework }}</ref> As of
The system of tariff preferences is aimed at promoting the economic growth of countries that objectively need economic assistance from the Union. In 2021, a decision was published to exclude 75 developing countries and 2 least developed countries from the lists, but at the same time, the status of the beneficiary country of the common system of tariff preferences of the EAEU is preserved for states in need of economic assistance from the EAEU.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eec.eaeunion.org/news/eaes-sovershenstvuet-edinuyu-sistemu-tarifnyh-preferentsij/ | title=ЕАЭС совершенствует единую систему тарифных преференций }}</ref> The first list of countries was approved in 2009 and did not change dramatically until 2021. As of May 2020, there were 153 countries in it, including Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, China and South Korea. The list was revised in 2021 so that there would be no injustice when lower-income countries provide tariff preferences to high-income countries. A country can obtain for tariff preferences if its income level is [[World Bank high-income economy|determined]] by the [[World Bank]] as "low-income" or "lower-middle-income", that is, the gross national income per capita in such a country is less than $4,045.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/05/03/2021/603e0f409a7947421ef8242b | title=ЕАЭС отказался от тарифных преференций для 76 стран | date=5 March 2021 }}</ref> The import duties applicable to products eligible for tariff preferences and originating from developing countries were at the level of 75% of the [[Most favoured nation]] duty rates and from least-developed countries at the level of 0%.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news11_e/acc_rus_10nov11_e.htm | title=WTO | 2011 News items – Working Party seals the deal on Russia's membership negotiations }}</ref>
At the same time, the members of the Union themselves are recipients of tariff preferences. Kyrgyzstan was granted preferences from Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macmap.org/en/query/trade-agreement?reporter=417&relation=E&partner=all | title=Market Access Map }}</ref> Armenia was granted preferences from Canada, the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macmap.org/en/query/trade-agreement?reporter=051&relation=E&partner=all | title=Market Access Map }}</ref> Belarus was granted preferences from Japan, Norway and Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macmap.org/en/query/trade-agreement?reporter=112&relation=E&partner=all | title=Market Access Map }}</ref> Kazakhstan was granted preferences from Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macmap.org/en/query/trade-agreement?reporter=398&relation=E&partner=all | title=Market Access Map }}</ref> In 2013, the [[World Bank]] announced that Russia had graduated to a [[high-income economy]] based on the results of 2012<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/new-country-classifications | title=New Country Classifications | date=2 July 2013 }}</ref><ref name=WB2013>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702131322/http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups|archive-date=2014-07-02|title=Country and Lending Groups|publisher=World Bank|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.iep.ru/en/world-bank-updates-its-country-classification-by-gni-per-capita.html | title=World Bank updates its country classification by GNI per capita }}</ref> but in 2016 it was reclassified as an [[upper-middle income economy]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/new-country-classifications-2016 | title=New country classifications by income level: 2016–2017 | date=July 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups | title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups – World Bank Data Help Desk }}</ref> due to changes in the exchange rate of the Russian ruble, which is a [[floating currency]]. As a result of the World Bank's designation of a high-income economy, [[Barack Obama]] issued a proclamation: "I have determined that Russia is sufficiently advanced in economic development and improved in trade competitiveness that it is appropriate to terminate the designation of Russia as a beneficiary developing country effective October 3, 2014."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/07/message-congress-respect-russia-s-status-under-generalized-system-prefer | title=Message to the Congress -- with respect to Russia's status under the Generalized System of Preferences | date=7 May 2014 | access-date=4 January 2024 | archive-date=4 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104155043/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/07/message-congress-respect-russia-s-status-under-generalized-system-prefer | url-status=live }}</ref> [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] (CBP) indicated that Russia formally graduated from the GSP program on 4 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbp.gov/trade/trade-community/outreach-programs/trade-agreements/special-trade-programs/gsp/gsp-renewal | title=Renewal of the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection | access-date=4 January 2024 | archive-date=4 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104155044/https://www.cbp.gov/trade/trade-community/outreach-programs/trade-agreements/special-trade-programs/gsp/gsp-renewal | url-status=live }}</ref> Thus, Russia does not have these preferences.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macmap.org/en/query/trade-agreement?reporter=643&relation=E&partner=all | title=Market Access Map }}</ref> In 2024, the World Bank again reclassified Russia as a high-income economy based on 2023 results.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups – World Bank Data Help Desk |url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups |access-date=1 July 2024 |website=datahelpdesk.worldbank.org}}</ref>
==International cooperation and interaction==
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===Foreign affairs===
The Eurasian Economic Union mainly uses its [[arms industry]],<ref name="SIPRI">[http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/toplist.php Top List TIV Tables-SIPRI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214003447/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/toplist.php |date=14 February 2013 }}. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2012-05-09.</ref> [[raw materials]],<ref name=usgs>Richard M. Levine and Glenn J. Wallace. [http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2005/myb3-2005-am-aj-bo-gg-kz-kg-md-rs-ti-tx-up-uz.pdf "The Mineral Industries of the Commonwealth of Independent States"]. ''2005 Minerals Yearbook''. [[U.S. Geological Survey]] (December 2007). This article incorporates text from this U.S. government source, which is in the [[public domain]].</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Countries and regions: Russia|url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/russia/|publisher=European Commission|access-date=27 August 2014}}</ref> gas and oil reserves,{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} and railways<ref>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan plans to become a logistics hub between Asia and Europe|url=http://www.railwaypro.com/wp/?p=14076|publisher=Railway Pro|access-date=27 August 2014|date=21 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Strategy of Russian Railways|url=http://eng.rzd.ru/statice/public/en?STRUCTURE_ID=7|publisher=Russian Railways|access-date=27 August 2014}}</ref> as its key assets for trade with foreign countries.
Although Russia is the only member of the Eurasian Economic Union under sanctions from the West, other members of the Eurasian Economic Union have repeatedly used the bloc as a platform to articulate their opposition to sanctions and trade wars.<ref name=":13">{{Cite book |last=Korolev |first=Alexander S. |url= |title=China and Eurasian Powers in a Multipolar World Order 2.0: Security, Diplomacy, Economy and Cyberspace |date=2023 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |others=Mher Sahakyan |isbn=978-1-003-35258-7 |edition= |location=New York |chapter=Political and Economic Security in Multipolar Eurasia |oclc=1353290533}}</ref>{{Rp|page=16}}
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The Eurasian Economic Union must negotiate as a whole to sign free trade agreements with other countries. Key players for the Eurasian Economic Union are the [[European Union]], [[Turkey]], [[Iran]], [[China]] and the [[Korean peninsula]]. The EAEU has sought to increase its trade with partners in the [[Middle East]] and [[East Asia]] in order to profit from the growing trade between Europe and Asia.
Because of disagreements with the Eurasian Economic Union's largest member, Russia, the European Union does not officially recognize the Eurasian
A rising China has been increasingly interested in Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref>{{cite magazine|url = https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/how-significant-is-the-eurasian-economic-union/|title = How Significant Is the Eurasian Economic Union?|date = 4 June 2014|access-date = 19 August 2014|magazine = The Diplomat|last = Casey|first = Michel}}</ref> Analysts see the union as a potential way China could facilitate its investments in the region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why China is unfazed by Russia's creation of a Eurasian Union|url=http://www.worldreview.info/content/why-china-unfazed-russia-s-creation-eurasian-union|publisher=World Review|access-date=27 August 2014|date=17 July 2014|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010220725/http://www.worldreview.info/content/why-china-unfazed-russia-s-creation-eurasian-union|url-status=dead}}</ref> Historically, China held close economic ties with many countries throughout [[Eurasia]]. Under the [[Han Dynasty]], its trade routes extended to the [[Roman Empire]]. The [[Economy of the Han Dynasty]] and other subsequent dynasties exchanged numerous goods with countries throughout Europe and Asia. Both China and the union have stated they would benefit from recreating trade routes modelled on the historic [[Silk Road]].<ref>{{cite web|title=China's 'New Silk Road' Vision Revealed|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/05/chinas-new-silk-road-vision-revealed/|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>
Railways transport goods from China to the European Union through Kazakhstan and Russia. The country has pushed for the construction of more railway lines to connect [[Berlin]] to east China to reduce shipping time. It proposed major high-speed railway lines going towards Europe via Russia and Kazakhstan and another through the Middle East via [[Tajikistan]], a potential future member for the union.<ref>{{cite web|title=China Establishing New Silk Roads|date=8 July 2014 |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/china-establishing-new-silk-roads/1953455.html|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=China considers high-speed 'silk railroad' to Europe|date=7 August 2014|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/china-considers-high-speed-silk-railroad-to-europe/8667079.article|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> China has signed numerous energy deals with Russia and Kazakhstan, as it tries to move from [[coal]] to less pollutant alternatives.<ref>{{cite magazine|url = https://thediplomat.com/2014/07/central-asias-energy-rush/|title = Central Asia's Energy Rush: The region's major powers are in a tussle to control its rich energy sources|last = Romanowski|first = Michał|date = 3 July 2014|access-date = 30 August 2014|magazine = The Diplomat}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-kazakhstan-china-deals-idUKBRE98608520130907|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170130032214/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-kazakhstan-china-deals-idUKBRE98608520130907|url-status = dead|archive-date = 30 January 2017|title = China, Kazakhstan to ink deals worth $30 billion on Saturday|last = Zhumatov|first = Shamil|date = 7 September 2013|access-date = 30 August 2014|work = Reuters|location = Astana, Kazakhstan}}</ref>
Iran has sought to diversify its economy as well, seeing the EAEU and China as key economic partners. Relations between Russia and Iran have increased as both countries are under U.S. sanctions and are seeking new trade partners. in 2014 the two countries signed a historic US$20 billion energy deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vladimir Putin signs historic $20bn oil deal with Iran to bypass Western sanctions|date=6 August 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/11014604/Vladimir-Putin-signs-historic-20bn-oil-deal-with-Iran-to-bypass-Western-sanctions.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/11014604/Vladimir-Putin-signs-historic-20bn-oil-deal-with-Iran-to-bypass-Western-sanctions.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=7 August 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia and Iran strike oil agreement|website=[[CNBC]]|date=6 August 2014|url=https://www.cnbc.com/
Kazakhstan seeks to enhance its ties with Turkey, a key player in the region. In July 2014, Turkey announced closer economic ties with the EAEU, including a possible free trade agreement in the near future.<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey Proposes Free Trade Zone with Eurasian Union|date=21 July 2014 |url=http://asbarez.com/125154/turkey-proposes-free-trade-zone-with-eurasian-union/|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref>
===Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh===
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Experts estimate that with the accession of Armenia, the internationally unrecognised [[Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]] would not be integrated into the Eurasian Union.<ref name=ack /> Armenia is a permanent political, military and economic ally of Russia, whereas Azerbaijan holds close ties with Armenia's long-standing enemy Turkey. The Kazakh President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] expressed concern in 2013 that no reliable customs border between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh could be drawn. However, Nazarbayev expressed that he holds all the existing disagreements preventing Armenia's integration into Eurasian Economic Union are surmountable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.belta.by/politics/view/kazakhstan-views-disagreements-on-eurasian-economic-union-as-resolvable-3675-2014/|title=Kazakhstan views disagreements on Eurasian Economic Union as resolvable |website=BelTA |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref> The Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Armenian Parliament, [[Artak Zakarian]], announced on 14 May 2014 that Armenia will not build any customs borders, including with the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asbarez.com/123001/armenia-rules-out-tariffs-on-karabakh |title=Armenia Rules Out Tariffs on Karabakh |website=Asbarez |date=14 May 2014 |access-date=14 May 2014}}</ref>
According to Eurasian Economic Commission statistics, Eurasian Economic Union countries experienced a 1.9% GDP increase between January–June 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. Armenia had the greatest GDP growth index throughout the reporting period – 8.3%. The EEU's industrial output increased by 3.3%, with reprocessing industry increasing by 62.7% and mining increasing by 27.9%. Again, Armenia had the largest growth in industrial production – 9.6% – despite a 12.7% fall in mining.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Armenia leads EEU countries on level of economic growth – official EEC data |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/956452.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=armenpress.am |date=30 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
===Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan===
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===International response===
Former President of the European Commission [[José Manuel Barroso]] stated at the [[World Economic Forum]] that the EU supports the regional integration, including the Eurasian Union. He also praised Kazakhstan for joining the bloc. He criticized the post-Soviet space, saying "the integration in the region is not sufficient". However, he warned that the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] is a major obstacle to good cooperation between the EU and the Eurasian Union.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2015|url=http://www.weforum.org/sessions/summary/regions-transformation-eurasia|publisher=World Economic Forum|access-date=25 January 2015|date=22 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Davos 2015 – Regions in Transformation: Euroasia|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wb409Nlhlw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/9Wb409Nlhlw |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|website=youtube.com| date=22 January 2015 |publisher=World Economic Forum|access-date=25 January 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Tensions between the EAEU and the [[European Union]] (EU) occurred as both have sought to deepen their ties with several [[Post-Soviet states|former Soviet republics]]. The EU has signed free trade agreements with [[Ukraine]], [[Moldova]] and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. However, separatists in all three countries back closer ties with [[Russia]]. Ukraine planned to sign an [[European Union Association Agreement|EU association agreement]] in 2013, but abruptly cancelled the signing under Russian pressure to join the EAEU. This led to [[Euromaidan|mass protests]] against Ukraine's president,<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/war-in-ukraine-a-result-of-misunderstandings-between-europe-and-russia-a-1004706.html Summit of Failure: How the EU Lost Russia over Ukraine]. ''Der Spiegel''. 2014-11-24.</ref> with the EU supporting a [[Agreement on settlement of political crisis in Ukraine|failed political settlement]] before president Yanukovych fled to Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/viktor-yanukovych-russia-ukraine-coup|title=Viktor Yanukovych urges Russia to act over Ukrainian 'bandit coup'|author=Shaun Walker|website=the Guardian|date=28 February 2014|access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref> and Russia then [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexing]] the [[Crimea|Crimean peninsula]] (following a [[2014 Crimean status referendum|disputed referendum]]) and supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guide to the EU deals with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine|work=BBC News|date=27 June 2014|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28038725|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania ratifies Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova agreements with EU|date=9 July 2014|url=http://dfwatch.net/lithuania-ratifies-ukraine-georgia-moldova-agreements-with-eu-61065|access-date=7 August 2014}}</ref> In response, some member states of the European Union have sought to find alternatives to Russian gas, while others have voiced their support for the construction of the [[South Stream]] pipeline which circumvents Ukraine. Later the already started construction of the pipeline, under US sanctions on Russia and pressure on EU, the project was abandoned. Analysts believe Russia backs the Eurasian Economic Union in order to limit western influence in the region.<ref name=":5">{{cite news|url = https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21608807-not-all-goes-smoothly-russia-its-backyard-power-failure|title = Power failure – Not all goes smoothly for Russia in its backyard|date = 26 July 2014|access-date = 26 August 2014|newspaper = The Economist}}</ref>
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{{Supranational PostSoviet Bodies|size=400px|align=right}}
The [[Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union|Eurasian Customs Union]] has already brought partial economic integration between the three states, and the Eurasian Economic Union is said to be a continuation of this customs union.<ref name="Boris N. Mamlyuk 2014"/> However, the impact or legacy of that agreement is unclear<ref>{{cite SSRN |ssrn=2414597|title=Russia and Regional Trade Integration in a Historical Perspective: A Response to William E. Butler|date=2015|author=Boris N. Mamlyuk}}</ref> – trade between the three states actually fell 13% during the agreement's first year.<ref name=Economist />
A number of other regional organisations also provide the basis for further integration: the [[Union State]] of Russia and Belarus; the [[Collective Security Treaty Organisation]], consisting of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan; and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] comprising most of the post-Soviet countries.<ref group=journal>{{cite web |last1=Brusis|first1=Martin|title=A Eurasian European Union? Relaunching Post-Soviet Economic Integration |website=European Consortium for Political Research |url=http://www.ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/1f692ccb-986b-4c38-92c0-c0a0aa55edad.pdf |url-access=subscription |pages=8, 13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Russia–Belarus Union State most advanced post-Soviet integration bloc – Lukashenko|url=http://itar-tass.com/en/russia/754950|access-date=6 January 2015|publisher=Tass}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=CSTO states plan to set up collective air force|url=http://itar-tass.com/en/world/768382|access-date=6 January 2015|publisher=Tass}}</ref>
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The Eurasian Economic Union is located at the eastern end of [[Europe]], bounded by the [[Arctic]] in the north, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east and [[East Asia]], the [[Middle East]] and part of [[Central Asia]] to the south. It lies between latitudes [[39th parallel north|39°]] and [[82nd parallel north|82°N]] and longitudes [[19°E]] and [[169th meridian west|169°W]]. The union extends across much of northern [[Eurasia]]. Its member states cover an area of over 20,000,000 square kilometers, which is approximately 15% of the world's land surface.<ref>{{cite web|title=General Information|url=http://eaeunion.org/#about-info|publisher=Eurasian Economic Union|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>
The [[Eastern European Plain]] encompasses [[Belarus]] and most of [[European Russia]]. The plain is mostly mountain-free and comprises several [[plateaus]]. [[Russia]]'s northernmost regions are [[tundra]]. The Russian Tundra is located on the coastline with the [[Arctic]] and is known for its total darkness in the winter. [[Taiga]] reaches Russia's southern borders in [[Siberia]] and accounts for 60% of the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Geography of Russia|url=http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his241/notes/geography/geography.html|publisher=Northern Virginia Community College|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref> Towards the [[Ural Mountains]] and in northern [[Kazakhstan]], the climate is mostly temperate. Southwestern Russia and Kazakhstan are mostly [[steppe]]. The [[Kazakh steppe]] covers one-third of Kazakhstan and is the world's largest dry steppe region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan, Republic of Kazakhstan " City Info " Geography|url=http://www.kazakhstan.com/v/geography/|website=kazakhstan.com|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref> [[Armenia]] is mostly mountainous and its climate is continental. The landlocked country shares no direct border with other members states. It is located in the southwestern part of Asia, occupying the northeastern part of the [[Armenian
A large number of lakes and rivers are found in the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/belarus/|title=Belarus – Geography|access-date=7 November 2007|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|year=2007|website=The World Factbook}}</ref> Major lakes include [[Lake Ladoga|Ladoga]] and [[Lake Onega|Onega]], two of the [[largest lakes in Europe]]. The largest and most prominent of the union's bodies of fresh water is [[Lake Baikal]], the world's deepest, purest, oldest and most capacious fresh water lake.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lake Baikal—A Touchstone for Global Change and Rift Studies|publisher=United States Geological Survey|url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/baikal/}}</ref> The Baikal lake alone contains over one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. Russia is second only to Brazil in volume of the [[total renewable water resources]]. Of the union's numerous rivers,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Angara River|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2007|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/24432/Angara-River|access-date=26 December 2007}}</ref> the [[Volga]] is the most famous, not only because it is the [[longest river in Europe|longest in Europe]], but also because of its major role in history. In Siberia the [[Ob River|Ob]], [[Yenisey]], [[Lena River|Lena]] and [[Amur River|Amur]] are among the [[longest rivers in the world]].
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*[[Eurasianism]]
*[[Soviet Union]]
*[[New Union
*[[Union State]]
*[[Warsaw Pact]]
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