Barriers on the import of raw materials and export of finished products will be lifted between the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
This is stated in the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the CIS Member States, signed at a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of States held on October 11 in Ashgabat.
In order to ensure free access of goods of national producers to the markets of the CIS, the liberalization of mutual trade conditions and the abolition of existing barriers under the Declaration will become one of the priorities of the CIS member states.
The declaration sets the following tasks for the CIS states:
- expanding the influence of the CIS and its member states on world economic processes by initiating investment projects and economic programs;
- the establishment of effective partnership mechanisms to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
- creating favorable conditions for strategic economic cooperation;
- increasing the competitiveness of the CIS member states;
- consistent integration into the global transport system;
- combining geographical and infrastructural capabilities, technical, technological and transit potentials of the CIS member states;
- ensuring and strengthening financial stability in the CIS;
- combating corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism, other threats and challenges;
- achieving effectiveness in jointly addressing the challenges posed by globalization;
- providing an effective dialogue platform at all levels.
The priority areas of activity of the CIS member states for solving these issues are:
- liberalization of conditions and further development of mutual trade, the abolition of existing barriers and exemptions from the free trade regime, including those relating to the import of raw materials and export of finished products;
- development of production cooperation relations between enterprises and technologically interconnected industries;
- development and implementation of cooperation projects in such areas as agricultural production, light industry, production of building materials, jewelry industry and other industries;
- development and implementation of large joint investment projects;
- creation of stable energy supply systems;
- participation within the UN in the development of mechanisms for the development of cooperation in the energy sector;
- deepening energy cooperation;
- cooperation in the production, transportation and transit of hydrocarbons;
- development of cooperation in the transport sector;
- expansion of cooperation of the CIS member states with regional economic commissions;
- development of the transport and communication system of the Commonwealth;
- increasing the efficiency of the tariff policy and eliminating the influence of fiscal and administrative barriers; improvement of the transportation system;
- the creation of large transport and logistics centers;
- further development of cooperation in the financial sector;
- further development of cooperation in the field of payment and settlement relations;
- expansion of scientific, technical and innovative cooperation as the basis for the creation of joint competitive products, including in the markets of third countries;
- development and sharing of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence;
- further development of cooperation in the field of education, science, health, labor, employment and social protection of the population, culture, information, sports and tourism;
- interaction on environmental issues;
- interaction on emergency prevention and disaster management; intensification of joint activities to prevent and counteract natural and man-made disasters;
- strengthening cooperation with the UN and other international organizations;
- strengthening multilateral cooperation among the CIS member states.
