Eurasian Economic Union

2017-04-24T03:32:51Z

Neutrality: not a reliable source

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{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
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{{Infobox geopolitical organisation
|name =
{{collapsible list
|title = {{resize|11.5pt|Eurasian Economic Union}}
|titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;font-size:90%;
|liststyle = text-align:center;
|{{Infobox|subbox=yes|bodystyle= font-size:9pt;
| rowclass1 = mergedrow| label1 = [[Armenian language|Armenian]]: | data1 = {{lang|hy|Եվրասիական տնտեսական միություն}}|fontsize=68%| rowclass2 = mergedrow| label2 = [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]]: | data2 = {{lang|be|Еўразійскі эканамічны саюз}}| rowclass3 = mergedrow| label3 = [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]]: | data3 = {{lang|kk|Еуразиялық Экономикалық Одақ}}| rowclass4 = mergedrow| label4 = [[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]]: | data4 = {{lang|ky|Евразиялык экономикалык биримдик}}| rowclass5 = mergedrow| label5 = [[Russian language|Russian]]: | data5 = {{lang|ru|Евразийский экономический союз}}|}}
}}
|common_name = Eurasian Economic Union
|linking_name = the Eurasian Union
|image_flag = Flag of the Eurasian Economic Union.svg
|image_symbol = Emblem of the Eurasian Economic Union.svg
|symbol_type = Emblem
|symbol_width = 110px
|image_map = Eurasian Economic Union (orthographic projection) - Crimea disputed.svg
|map_width = 220px
|map_caption = 
|admin_center_type = Administrative centers
|admin_center=
{{unbulleted list
| {{nowrap|[[Moscow]], [[Russia]]}} {{small|([[Eurasian Economic Commission|Commission]])}}
| {{nowrap|[[Minsk]], [[Belarus]]}} {{small|([[Court of the Eurasian Economic Union|Court]])}}
}}
|largest_city = [[Moscow]] {{smaller|{{coord|55|45|N|37|37|E|display=inline}}}}
|official_languages = [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]], [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]], [[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]], [[Russian language|Russian]]
|org_type = [[Economic union]]
|membership_type = Member states
|membership = {{nowrap|{{flag|Armenia}}}} {{nowrap|{{flag|Belarus}}}} {{nowrap|{{flag|Kazakhstan}}}} {{nowrap|{{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}}} {{nowrap|{{flag|Russia}}}}
|leader_title1 = Chairman of the Eurasian Commission
|leader_name1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Armenia.svg}} [[Tigran Sargsyan]]
|established_event1 = {{nowrap|Original proposala}}
|established_date1 = 1994
|established_event2 = [[Eurasian Economic Community|Economic Community]]
|established_date2 = {{nowrap|10 October 2000}}
|established_event3 = [[Eurasian Customs Union]]
|established_date3 = {{nowrap|1 January 2010}}
|established_event4 = Establishment agreed
|established_date4 = {{nowrap|18 November 2011}}
|established_event5 = [[Eurasian Economic Space]]
|established_date5 = {{nowrap|1 January 2012}}
|established_event6 = EEU Treaty signed
|established_date6 = {{nowrap|29 May 2014}}
|established_event7 =EEU established
|established_date7 = {{nowrap|1 January 2015}}
|official_website = [http://eaeunion.org/?lang=en eaeunion.org]
|area_magnitude = 1 E12
|area_km2 = 20,229,248<ref name="nationsonline.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/countries_by_area.htm|title=Countries by Area|accessdate=26 August 2014|website=Nations Online Project}}</ref>
|area_sq_mi = 7,810,557<ref name="nationsonline.org"/>
|population_estimate =183,319,693<ref>http://www.gks.ru/bgd/free/B14_00/IssWWW.exe/Stg/{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}/%3Cextid%3E/%3Cstoragepath%3E::%7Cdk11/8-0.doc</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kz.html|title=The World Factbook|publisher=}}</ref><ref>http://belstat.gov.by/ofitsialnaya-statistika/otrasli-statistiki/naselenie/demografiya_2/operativnaya-informatsiya_1/o-demograficheskoi-situatsii-v-yanvare-sentyabre-2014-g/</ref><ref>http://www.armstat.am/file/doc/99475033.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.stat.kg/stat.files/din.files/census/Excel/5010003.XLS</ref> (including [[Crimean Federal District|Crimea]])
|population_estimate_year = 2015
|population_density_km2 = 9.06
|GDP_PPP = US$4.198 trillion<ref>{{cite web | url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD | title=GDP (current US$) | publisher=[[World Bank]] | work=[[World Development Indicators]] | accessdate=30 May 2015}}</ref>
|GDP_nominal_year = 2013
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = US$13,151
|Gini_year = |Gini_change =  |Gini =  |Gini_ref =
|HDI_year =2015 |HDI_change = {{increase}} |HDI =0.761  |HDI_ref =
|currency = [[Armenian dram]] [[Belarusian ruble]] [[Kazakhstani tenge]] [[Kyrgyzstani som]] [[Russian ruble]]
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +2 to +12
|time_zone_DST = |utc_offset_DST =
|drives_on = right
|date_format =
| calling_code =
{{collapsible list
|titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
|title = 4 codes
| {{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}}  [[+7]]
| {{flagicon|Armenia}}  [[+374]]
| {{flagicon|Belarus}}  [[+375]]
| {{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}}  [[+996]]
}}
| cctld =
{{collapsible list
|titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
|title = 5 [[Country code top-level domain|TLDs]]
|{{flagicon|Armenia}} [[.am]] |{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[.by]] |{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[.kg]] |{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[.kz]] |{{flagicon|Russia}} [[.ru]]
}}
|footnote_a = By [[President of Kazakhstan|Kazakhstani President]] [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]].
}}
The '''Eurasian Economic Union''' ('''EAEU''')<ref group="note">The acronym is used in the [http://eaeunion.org organisation’s website]. However, many media outlets use the acronym EEU. Sometimes it is even referred as the EAU (the Eurasian Union) for simplification purposes.</ref> is an [[economic union]] of states located primarily in northern [[Eurasia]]. A treaty aiming for the establishment of the EAEU was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Russia]], and came into force on 1 January 2015.<ref>[http://docs.eaeunion.org/en-us/Pages/DisplayDocument.aspx?s=bef9c798-3978-42f3-9ef2-d0fb3d53b75f&w=632c7868-4ee2-4b21-bc64-1995328e6ef3&l=540294ae-c3c9-4511-9bf8-aaf5d6e0d169&EntityID=3610]</ref> Treaties aiming for [[Armenia]]'s and [[Kyrgyzstan]]'s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union were signed on 9 October and 23 December 2014, respectively. Armenia's accession treaty came into force on 2 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.customs-code.ru/pravovbaza/18429-dogovor-arm|title=ДОГОВОР О ПРИСОЕДИНЕНИИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ АРМЕНИЯ К ДОГОВОРУ О ЕВРАЗИЙСКОМ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОМ СОЮЗЕ ОТ 29 МАЯ 2014 ГОДА (Минск, 10 октября 2014 года)|author=Дмитрий|publisher=|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref> Kyrgyzstan's accession treaty came into effect on 6 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Member States of the EEU|url=http://www.eaeunion.org/?lang=en#about-countries|publisher=Eurasian Commission|accessdate=5 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kyrgyzstan becomes 5th member of Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union|url=https://www.rt.com/business/311639-kyrgyzstan-joins-eeu-kazakhstan/|accessdate=5 August 2015|publisher=Russia Today}}</ref> It participated in the EAEU from the day of its establishment as an acceding state.<ref name=FT>{{cite news|last1=Farchy|first1=Jack|title=Eurasian unity under strain even as bloc expands|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b08c2e4e-8ab2-11e4-8e24-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3MvV5Evn1|accessdate=26 December 2014|publisher=The Financial Times|date=23 December 2014|quote=Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday a signed a treaty to join the Eurasian Economic Union, expanding the membership of Moscow-led project to five even as its unity is strained by the market turmoil gripping Russia.}}</ref><ref name=TT>{{cite news|title=Eurasian Economic Union to Launch on January 1|url=http://www.thetrumpet.com/article/12307.19.0.0/eurasian-economic-union-to-launch-on-january-1|accessdate=26 December 2014|publisher=The Trumpet|date=24 December 2014|quote=Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan agreed to a January 1 inauguration.}}</ref>

In 1994, the [[President of Kazakhstan]], [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]], first suggested the idea of creating a "Eurasian Union"<ref>[http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=514131 Holding-Together Regionalism: Twenty Years of Post-Soviet Integration]. Libman A. and Vinokurov E. (Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2012, p. 220.)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.eaeunion.org/upload/iblock/006/1994_1_1.jpg|title = Президент Республики Казахстан Н. А. Назарбаев о евразийской интеграции. Из выступления в Московском государственном университете им. М. В. Ломоносова 29 марта 1994 г.|author = |work = |date = |publisher = }}</ref> during a speech at [[Moscow State University]]. Numerous treaties were subsequently signed to establish the trading bloc gradually. Many politicians, philosophers and political scientists have since called for further integration towards a monetary, political, military and cultural union.<ref>{{cite web|title=Article by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin "A new integration project for Eurasia: The future in the making"|url=http://www.russianmission.eu/en/news/article-prime-minister-vladimir-putin-new-integration-project-eurasia-future-making-izvestia-3-|accessdate=13 August 2014|date=2011-10-10|last = Putin|first = Vladimir}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru:Над пространством|url=http://www.mesoeurasia.org/archives/3631|accessdate=13 August 2014|website = Mesoeurasia|last = Perov|first = Maria|language = Russian}}</ref> However the member states decided to seek a purely economic union, having concerns about keeping their independence and sovereignty intact.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nazarbayev criticized the politicisation of the Eurasian Economic Union|url=http://www.astanatv.kz/news/show/id/14405.html|accessdate=7 August 2014|publisher = Askana TV|language = Russian|date = 18 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="Tengri News">{{cite web|title=Kazakhstan lawmakers see no reason to create Eurasian Parliament|url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/opinion/435/|publisher=Tengri News|accessdate=9 July 2014|date = 10 December 2013|last = Tashkinbayev|first = Renat}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Customs Union, Eurasian Union no threat to Kazakhstan's sovereignty — council|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/746905|publisher=Itar Tass|accessdate=27 August 2014|date=27 August 2014}}</ref>

The Eurasian Economic Union has an integrated [[single market]] of 183 million people and a [[gross domestic product]] of over 4 trillion U.S. dollars (PPP).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD/countries/order%3Dwbapi_data_value_2012%20wbapi_data_value%20wbapi_data_value-last?order=wbapi_data_value_2013%20wbapi_data_value%20wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc&display=default%7ctitle=GDP|title=GDP, PPP (current international $)|publisher=}}</ref> The EAEU introduces the free movement of goods, capital, services and people and provides for common policies in macroeconomic sphere, transport, industry and agriculture, energy, foreign trade and investment, customs, technical regulation, competition and antitrust regulation. Provisions for a single currency and greater integration are envisioned in future.<ref name=singlemarket /><ref name=WaPost /><ref name=currency /> The union operates through [[supranational]] and [[Intergovernmental organisation|intergovernmental]] institutions. The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the "Supreme Body" of the Union, consisting of the [[Head of State|Heads of the Member States]]. The second level of intergovernmental institutions is represented by the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (consisting of the Prime Ministers of member states). The day-to-day work of the EAEU is done through the [[Eurasian Economic Commission]] (the executive body), which is a supranational body similar to [[European Commission]]. There is also a judicial body – the [[Court of the Eurasian Economic Union|Court of the EAEU]].<ref>Article 8 and 10, Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union</ref>
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==History==

===Proposal===
After the end of the [[Cold War]] and the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union]], Russia and the Central Asian republics were weakened economically and faced declines in [[GDP]]. [[Post-Soviet states]] underwent economic reforms and [[privatisation]].<ref group=journal>{{cite journal|title=Russian Federation|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/7/50/2452793.pdf|accessdate=7 July 2014|publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)}}</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|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> The process of Eurasian integration began immediately after the break-up of the Soviet Union to salvage economic ties with Post-Soviet states through the creation of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] on 8 December 1991 by the presidents of [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Russia]].<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal>{{cite journal|title=Eurasian economic integration: figures and facts|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Documents/broshura26_ENGL_2014.pdf|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>

In 1994, during a speech at [[Moscow State University]], the [[President of Kazakhstan]], [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]], suggested the idea of creating a "common defense" space<ref>Alexandrov, Mikhail. ''Uneasy Alliance: Relations Between Russia and Kazakhstan in the Post-Soviet Era, 1992-1997.'' Greenwood Press, 1999, p. 229. ISBN 978-0-313-30965-6</ref> and regional trading bloc in order to connect to and profit from the growing economies of [[European Union|Europe]] and [[East Asia]].<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite web|last1=Vladimir|first1=Radyuhin|title=Three-nation Eurasian union set up as bridge|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/threenation-eurasian-union-set-up-as-bridge/article6063893.ece|publisher=The Hindu|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan sign 'epoch' Eurasian Economic Union|url=http://rt.com/business/162200-russia-bealrus-kazakhstan-union/|website=Russia Today|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kazakhstan welcomes Putin's Eurasian Union concept |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/kazakhstan/8808500/Kazakhstan-welcomes-Putins-Eurasian-Union-concept.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=6 October 2011 |accessdate=8 October 2011}}</ref> The idea was quickly seen as a way to bolster trade, boost investments in the region, and serve as a counterweight to Western integration unions.<ref name="The Hindu"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Eurasian Economic Union to become a bridge between Europe and Pacific Rim|url=http://vestnikkavkaza.net/articles/politics/55923.html|publisher=Vestnik Kavkaza|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>

===Founding treaties (1990s)===
[[File:CIS meeting 2008.jpg|thumb|left|270px|Meeting of the leaders of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) in [[Bishkek]], 2008. The CIS initiated the lengthy process of Eurasian integration.]]

During the 1990s, the Eurasian integration process was slow, possibly due to the economic crisis experienced after the dissolution of the [[Soviet Union]] and the size of the countries involved (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan cover an area of about 20 million km²). As a result, numerous treaties have been signed by member states to establish the regional trading bloc gradually.<ref group=journal>{{cite journal|author1=Steven Blockmans|author2=Hrant Kostanyan|author3=Ievgen Vorobiov|title=Towards a Eurasian Economic Union: The challenge of integration and unity|url=http://www.ceps.eu/system/files/CEPS%20Special%20Report%20No%2075%20-%20Towards%20a%20Eurasian%20Economic%20Union.pdf|date=December 2012|volume=75|issue=CEPS Special Report|pages=4–5|publisher=CEPS|quote=Given the distances between major economic centres, the transportation costs appear to be much higher in the case of trade within the CU than within the EEC. Besides, there is significant asymmetry in the distance between Russia’s and Belarus’ economic centres and those of Russia and Kazakhstan, which affects intra-bloc trade flows. This factor might significantly impede the envisaged positive effects of removing tariff barriers to trade and increasing labour mobility, and will therefore require greater efforts to ease cross-border trade, such as improving transport infrastructure.}}</ref><ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal />

In 1995, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and later acceding states Kyrgyzstan and [[Tajikistan]] signed the first agreements on the establishment of a [[Customs Union]]. Its purpose was to gradually lead the way toward the creation of open borders without passport controls between member states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://evrazes.com/docs/view/118|title=AGREEMENT on the Customs union of 20 January 1995|publisher=Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC)}}</ref>

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 [[Eurasian Customs Union]] and the Single Economic Space.<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan are launching common economic space Jan. 1|url=http://en.ria.ru/russia/20120101/170583110.html|accessdate=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>
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===Eurasian Economic Community (2000–2014)===
{{main article|Eurasian Economic Community}}

To promote further economic integration and more cooperation, in 2000 Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan established the [[Eurasian Economic Community]] (EurAsEC) which [[Uzbekistan]] joined in 2006.
The treaty established a common market for its member states. The Eurasian Economic Community was modelled on the [[European Economic Community]].<ref name="Boris N. Mamlyuk 2014">{{cite web|ssrn=2412319|title=Regionalizing Multilateralism: The Effect of Russia's Accession to the WTO on Existing Regional Integration Schemes in the Former Soviet Space|publisher=UCLA Journal of International Law and Foreign Affairs, Vol. 18, No. 2|date=2014|author=Boris N. Mamlyuk}}</ref> The two had a comparable population size of 171 million and 169 million, respectively.

A Treaty on a Single Economic Space by Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine was signed in 2003 and ratified in 2004, but the process was stalled after the [[Orange revolution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1052410.html|title=CIS: Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakh Parliaments Ratify Treaty On Single Economic Space}}</ref>

In 2007, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement to create a Customs Union between the three countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mfa.gov.by/en/organizations/membership/list/aa16658947a49c28.html|title=Eurasian Economic Union}}</ref>

===Establishing the customs union and single market (2010–2014)===
{{main article|Eurasian Customs Union|Eurasian Economic Space}}

[[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 [[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|accessdate=1 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|publisher=Kyiv Post|date=18 December 2009|accessdate=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 |accessdate=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=Russian |date=17 November 2011 |accessdate=19 November 2011}}</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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===Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union===
[[File:The signing ceremony of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union.webm|thumb|thumbtime=2:17|300px|The signing ceremony of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (in [[Astana]], [[Kazakhstan]], on 29 May 2014)]]

In 2011, the then-[[Prime Minister of Russia]], [[Vladimir Putin]], announced his support for Nursultan Nazarbayev's idea for the creation of a Eurasian Economic Union.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |title=Russia's Putin says wants to build "Eurasian Union" |first=Gleb |last=Bryanski |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/03/us-russia-putin-eurasian-idUSTRE7926ZD20111003 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=3 October 2011 |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Новый интеграционный проект для Евразии – будущее, которое рождается сегодня |url=http://www.izvestia.ru/news/502761 |newspaper=[[Izvestia]] |language=Russian |date=3 October 2011 |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> On 18 November 2011, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia signed an agreement setting a target of establishing the Eurasian Economic Union by 2015.<ref name="bbc18Nov2011">{{cite news |title=Russia sees union with Belarus and Kazakhstan by 2015 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15790452 |newspaper=BBC News|date=18 November 2011 |accessdate=19 November 2011}}</ref> The member states put together a joint commission on fostering closer economic ties.<ref name="Glazyev" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/11/19/Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan-sign-pact/UPI-15221321748054/?spt=hs&or=tn |title=Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan sign pact |publisher=UPI |date=19 November 2011 |accessdate=20 November 2011}}</ref>

On 29 May 2014, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia signed the treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union, which came into effect on 1 January 2015. The presidents of [[Armenia]] and Kyrgyzstan were also present at the signing ceremony. Russian president Vladimir Putin stated, "Today we have created a powerful, attractive centre of economic development, a big regional market that unites more than 170 million people"."<ref name="NYTEEU1">{{cite news|title=Putin Signs Economic Alliance With Kazakhstan and Belarus|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/world/europe/putin-signs-economic-alliance-with-presidents-of-kazakhstan-and-belarus.html?_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Kazakh politicians emphasized the Eurasian Economic Union was not intended to be a political bloc, but a purely economic union.<ref name="NYTEEU1" /> [[Bakytzhan Sagintayev]], the first deputy prime minister of Kazakhstan and lead negotiator, said, "We are not creating a political organisation; we are forming a purely economic union." He further stated "it is a pragmatic means to get benefits. We don't meddle into what Russia is doing politically, and they cannot tell us what foreign policy to pursue."<ref name="NYTEEU1" /> By October, the treaty had received parliamentary approval from all three states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/politics/20141009/193869886/Belarusian-President-Signs-Law-on-Eurasian-Economic-Union-Treaty.html|title=Belarusian President Signs Law on Eurasian Economic Union Treaty Ratification|date=2014-10-09|accessdate=2014-10-10|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]}}</ref> On 9 October 2014, a treaty to enlarge the EEU to Armenia was signed.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|url = http://en.ria.ru/world/20141010/193914853/Armenia-Joins-Eurasian-Economic-Union.html|title = Armenia Joins Eurasian Economic Union|last = Druzhinin|first = Aleksei|date = 10 October 2014|work = |accessdate = 10 October 2014|quote = Leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union signed an agreement on Friday on Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty.|publisher = RIA Novosti}}</ref><ref name=ratifysoon>{{cite web|url=http://arka.am/en/news/economy/eurasian_economic_union_countries_and_armenia_arrange_to_ratify_accession_agreement_soon_/|title=Eurasian Economic Union countries and Armenia arrange to ratify accession agreement soon|date=2014-10-10|accessdate=2014-10-10}}</ref> Kyrgyzstan signed a treaty on 23 December 2014 and became a member of the Eurasian Union on 6 August 2015.<ref name=kyrsign>{{cite web|url=http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/12/23/finalization-of-ratification-procedures-on-armenias-accession-to-eeu-to-be-declared-in-moscow-today/|title=Finalization of ratification procedures on Armenia’s accession to EEU to be declared in Moscow today|work=Public Radio of Armenia|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=kyrsign2/>

===Structural evolution===
{{EAU evolution timeline}}

{{EEC evolution timeline}}

==Geography==
{{multiple image |align=right |image1=Strusta Lake - Panorama.jpg |width1=300 |caption1=[[Strusta Lake]] in the [[Vitsebsk Voblast|Vitebsk Province]], [[Belarus]], is the sixteenth largest lake in Belarus and the third largest among the [[Braslau Lakes]]. |width2=190 |caption2=The [[Khan Tengri]] Peak above North [[Engilchek Glacier]], [[Kazakhstan]] |image2=Vue globale du versant N du khan Tengri.jpg}}
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|accessdate=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|accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref> Towards the [[Ural Mountains]] and in northern [[Kazakhstan]], the climate is mostly temperate. South-West 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|accessdate=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 south-western part of Asia, occupying the north-eastern part of the [[Armenian Plateau]], and is located between the [[Caucasus]] and the [[Near East]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Geographic Characteristics of the Republic of Armenia|work=Marzes of the Republic of Armenia in Figures, 2002–2006|url=http://www.armstat.am/file/article/marz_07_e_2.pdf|publisher=National Statistical Service of The Republic of Armenia|accessdate=15 January 2016|page=6|date=2007|quote="Republic of Armenia is situated in south-western part of Asia. The country occupies the north-eastern part of Armenian plateau – between Caucasus and Nearest Asia"}}</ref>

A large amount of lakes and rivers are found in the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bo.html|title=Belarus – Geography|accessdate=7 November 2007|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|year=2007|work=The World Factbook| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071114004238/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bo.html| archivedate= 14 November 2007 | deadurl= no}}</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 web|title=Angara River|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2007|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/24432/Angara-River|accessdate=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]].

The Eurasian Economic Union's highest peak is the [[Khan Tengri]] in the [[Tian Shan]] mountains, Kazakhstan, 7,010 m above sea level. The lowest point in the Eurasian Economic Union is the [[Karagiye Depression]] in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's Caspian shore includes some of the lowest elevations on Earth. According to a 2005 estimate by the United Nations, forests cover 40% of [[Belarus]]. 11,000 lakes and many water streams are found in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belarus|url=http://fatbirder.com/links_geo/europe/belarus.html|website=Fatbirder|accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref> Russia is known for its extensive mineral and energy resources, the largest reserves in the world, making it the world's largest producer of [[oil]] and [[natural gas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BP Statistical Review of World Energy June 2014|url=http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/pdf/Energy-economics/statistical-review-2014/BP-statistical-review-of-world-energy-2014-full-report.pdf|website=BP Global|accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref>

According to estimates, the Eurasian Economic Union's population of 176 million people is mostly urbanized, with Russia and Belarus having over 70% of their population living in urban areas. In Armenia over 64% of the population lives in urban areas. Kazakhstan's urban population comprises 54% of the country's total population.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Belarus|url=http://un.by/en/aboutbelarus/population/|publisher=United Nations}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px">
File:Эльбрус с перевала Гумбаши.JPG|[[Mount Elbrus]] - [[Russia]]
File:The_Armenian_plateau_near_Mount_Masis.jpg|Mountain Range - [[Armenian Highlands]]
File:Russiaa.jpg|[[Lama River]] - in the [[Moscow Oblast|Moscow region of Russia]]
File:Charin.jpg|[[Sharyn Canyon]] - [[Kazakhstan]]
File:Bringing the sheep home, on the southern shore of Issy-Kol. (3968109583).jpg|On the southern shore of Issyk Kul lake, [[Issyk Kul Region]] - [[Kyrgyzstan]]
File:Фото путешествия по Беларуси 353.jpg| Winter - [[Belarus]]
File:Aragats mountain, Aragatsotn, Armenia.jpg|A view of [[Mount Aragats]] from [[Aragatsotn (village)|Aragatsotn]] - [[Armenia]]
File:Munku-Sardyk.jpg|A view of Mount [[Monkh Saridag]] - [[Okinsky District]], [[Russia]]
File:Ayghr lake.jpg|[[Lake Ayger]] - [[Armenia]]
File:Lake Servech.jpg|Lake Servech - [[Belarus]]
File:Касмалинский ленточный бор 2005 год. (Алтайский край. Россия).jpg| Winter in the [[Altai Krai]] – [[Russia]]
File:Karakol Valley.jpg|[[Tian Shan]] mountain range - [[Kyrgyzstan]]
</gallery>

==Membership==
{{Main article|Member states of the Eurasian Economic Union}}

[[File:Eurasian Economic Union.svg|thumb|400px|{{legend|#346733|Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union}}{{legend|#34bd33|The [[Political status of Crimea|disputed]] [[Crimea|Crimean Peninsula]]}}{{legend|#3d5a74|Other candidate states}}]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Country
! Accession Date
! Date of Signature
|-
| {{ARM}}
| {{dts|2015|01|02|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland>[http://belarus.ahk.de/fileadmin/ahk_belarus/Dokumente/Praesentationen/IHK_Oldenburg_Spaak_22.01.2015.pdf "Russland – aktuelle Situation, zukünftige Entwicklung"]</ref>
| {{dts|2014|10|10|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
|-
| {{BLR}}
| {{dts|2015|01|01|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
| {{dts|2014|05|29|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
|-
| {{KAZ}}
| {{dts|2015|01|01|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
| {{dts|2014|05|29|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
|-
| {{KGZ}}
| {{dts|2015|08|12|format=dmy}}<ref>[http://www.eurasiancommission.org/ru/nae/news/Pages/12-08-2015-1.aspx]</ref>
| {{dts|2014|12|23|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
|-
| {{RUS}}
| {{dts|2015|01|01|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
| {{dts|2014|05|29|format=dmy}}<ref name=Russland/>
|}

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 |accessdate=19 November 2011}}</ref> Agreements to enlarge the EEU 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|work=Fox News Latino|accessdate=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|last = |first = |date = 9 October 2014|work = |accessdate = 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|last = |first = |date = 11 November 2014|work = |accessdate = 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 December 23, Russia’s RIA Novosti reports, citing Sapar Issakov, Vice Head of the Kyrgyz President’s Staff.}}</ref>

Armenia announced its decision to join the [[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|work=EurActiv - EU News & policy debates, across languages|accessdate=25 September 2014}}</ref> The treaty enlarging the EEU to Armenia was signed on 9 October 2014.<ref name=":14" /> Armenia is the only country of the EEU 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 economy minister Emil Tarasyan said.<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|work=asbarez.com|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref>

=== Presidency ===
{{Main article|Presidency in Eurasian Economic Union}}

Each year, the chairman of the union elects a Member State to head the Union. In 2015, the presidency was invited to Belarus.<ref name="belapan.by">[http://belapan.by/archive/2014/12/23/749077/ Belarus proposed to the chairmanship of the EEU in 2015]</ref> Now Kyrgyzstan presides the Union until December 31, 2017.

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Country
!Head of government
|-
|2015
|{{BLR}}<ref name="belapan.by"/>
|[[Alexander Lukashenko]]
|-
|2016
|{{KAZ}}<ref>[http://www.inform.kz/ru/1-yanvarya-2016-goda-nachalos-predsedatel-stvo-kazahstana-v-eaes_a2855900]</ref>
|[[Nursultan Nazarbayev]]
|-bgcolor="#DDEEFF"
|2017
|{{KGZ}}<ref>[http://radiomir.by/predsedatelstvo-v-eaes-v-2017-godu-perehodit-k-kyrgyzstanu]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NW8ytIG9Xw]</ref>
|[[Almazbek Atambayev]] (1 January - 30 November) TBD (from 1 December)
|-
|2018
| colspan="2" |TBA November–December 2017 ({{ARM}} or {{RUS}})
|}

=== Enlargement ===
{{main article|Enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union}}

[[President of Russia|Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] has stated that his goal was to enlarge the Customs Union to all [[post-Soviet states]], excluding the three [[Baltic states|Baltic]] [[Member state of the European Union|EU member states]].<ref name=armenia>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/foreign/121304|title=EUobserver: Armenia to join Russia trade bloc, surprises EU|publisher=|accessdate=3 November 2014}}</ref> According to ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, Putin's plan is for the Eurasian Union to grow into a "powerful, supra-national union" of sovereign states like the European Union, uniting economies, [[legal systems]], customs services, and military capabilities to form a bridge between Europe and Asia and rival the EU, the US, China, and India.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2014/feb/18/brief-primer-vladimir-putin-eurasian-union-trade A brief primer on Vladimir Putin's Eurasian dream], The Guardian, Jon Henley, 18 February 2014</ref>

In May 2015 an integration agreement was signed between the Russian Federation and South Ossetia, if South Ossetia were to join it would be by acceding to the Russian Federation.

[[Tajikistan]] was formally invited to join the union and has expressed its interest in acceding.<ref name="Eurasian Economic Union Enlargement">{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.com/2014/05/23/astana-gears-up-for-eurasian-economic-union/|title=Astana gears up for Eurasian Economic Union|date=2014-05-23|accessdate=2014-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-belarus-kazakhstan-agree-to-create-economic-union/1924941.html|title=Putin Kicks Off Eurasian Union, Without Ukraine|work=VOA|accessdate=25 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url = http://www.rferl.org/content/lavrov-holds-talks-with-tajik-foreign-minister/25475253.html|title = Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov Says Tajikistan Welcome To Join Eurasian Economic Union|last = |first = |date = 30 July 2014|work = |accessdate = 30 August 2014|publisher = RL's Tajik Service}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news|url = http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2638660|title = Tajikistan shows much interest in Customs Union, Eurasian Economic Union|last = |first = |date = 13 March 2014|work = |accessdate = 30 August 2014|publisher = Kazinform International News Agency|location = Dushanbe}}</ref> It is recognized as a potential candidate and membership negotiations are underway.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url = http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-08/12/c_126858454.htm|title = Kyrgyzstan to join Customs Union by year end|last = Xuequan|first = Mu|date = 2014-08-12|work = |accessdate = }}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite web|title=Armenia to become full member of EEU in January: Armenian PM|url=http://en.tengrinews.kz/politics_sub/Armenia-to-become-full-member-of-EEU-in-January-Armenian-PM-254979/|accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref> In 2015, further efforts were made to integrate Tajikistan into the EEU.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Russia Offers to Support Tajikistan…But There's a Price|url = http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/russia-supports-tajikistanfor-a-price/|accessdate = 2015-10-02|first = Samuel Ramani, The|last = Diplomat}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Tajikistan Paves the Way to Eurasian Union|url = http://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/field-reports/item/13113-tajikistan-paves-the-way-to-eurasian-union.html|website = The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst|accessdate = 2 October 2015}}</ref>

{{Quote box|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|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|accessdate=17 March 2017|date=4 October 2011}}</ref> }}
[[Uzbekistan]] remains 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|last = |first = |date = 14 November 2014|work = |accessdate = 31 August 2014|website = The Moscow Times}}</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|work = |accessdate = 31 August 2014|publisher = RIA NOVOSTI}}</ref> The country prefers not to pursue economic and political integration as of now.<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|work = |accessdate = 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|work = |accessdate = 31 August 2014|publisher = 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|work = |accessdate = 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.}}</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|work = |accessdate = 31 August 2014|publisher = Institute for War and Peace Reporting}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.eurasianet.org/node/68072|title = Uzbekistan's Car Industry Takes a Beating from Russia’s Custom Union|last = Sadykov|first = Murat|date = 21 February 2014|work = |accessdate = 31 August 2014|publisher = EurasianNet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.bne.eu/content/story/central-asia-states-press-ahead-moves-join-customs-union|title = Central Asia states press ahead with moves to join Customs Union|last = |first = |date = 13 November 2014|work = |accessdate = 31 August 2014|publisher = Business New Europe|quote = Delay is likely the result of ongoing tension. Uzbekistan has for many years resisted full participation in economic and military regional alliances, in particular those dominated by Russia. It quit the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, a military grouping of post-Soviet countries, in 2012.}}</ref> Uzbekistan began its integration process when Russia announced it would write off USD$865 million off debt owed by the country. Uzbekistan joined the [[CIS Free Trade Area]] in 2014, meaning it has free trade with EEU member states.<ref>{{cite news|title=Post-Soviet integration processes to benefit Moscow-Tashkent relations — Putin|url=http://itar-tass.com/en/economy/766223|accessdate=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|accessdate=30 December 2014|publisher=The Moscow Times|date=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.azernews.az/region/65752.html Uzbekistan joins CIS free trade zone], azernews.az. Retrieved 23 June 2016.</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 opted for the European Union by signing association agreements 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|accessdate = 30 August 2014|website = Official website of the European Union|last = |first = }}</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|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref> Ukraine ([[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]] and [[Lugansk People's Republic|Lugansk]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Donetsk People's Republic seeking Customs Union, Eurasian Economic Community membership |url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_06_17/Donetsk-Peoples-Republic-seeking-Customs-Union-Eurasian-Economic-Community-membership-2093/|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref> and Georgia ([[South Ossetia]] and [[Abkhazia]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Abkhazia's accession to Eurasian/Customs Union to be considered - interim president|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_06_03/Abkhazias-accession-to-Eurasian-Customs-Union-to-be-considered-interim-president-7821/|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref> have expressed a desire to join the Eurasian Customs Union and integrate into the Eurasian Economic Union.

Ukraine submitted an application to participate in the Eurasian Economic Union as an observer in August 2013.<ref>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/182869.html Ukraine seeking observer status in Eurasian Economic Union - Yanukovych], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (19 December 2013)</ref> [[Viktor Yanukovych]]'s decision to abandon an association agreement with the [[European Union]] and exclusively pursue integration with the EEU was a key factor in the [[Euromaidan|Euromaidan protests]] that ended his term as [[president of Ukraine]] and led to the [[2014 Crimean Crisis|Crimean Crisis]]. The country's membership in the EEU was seen by some analysts as the key to the success of the union as Ukraine has the second largest economy of any of the 15 former republics of the Soviet Union. With high tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the wake of the crisis, Ukraine decided to pursue integration with the EU.<ref name="Economist" />

[[Turkey]] was extended an invitation to join the EEU by [[Kazakhstan]]'s President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] on 6 June 2014 but the country prefers to join the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-349785-kazakh-leader-turkey-should-join-eurasian-union.html|title=Kazakh leader: Turkey should join Eurasian union|publisher=Today's Zaman|date=6 June 2014|accessdate=1 July 2014}}</ref>

Georgia's Prime Minister [[Bidzina Ivanishvili]] said in September 2013 he was studying the possibility of acceding to the Union, although he later clarified that Georgia's main strategy was still to integrate into the European Union.<ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian Prime Minister leaves open possibility of joining Eurasian Union |url=http://www.itar-tass.com/en/c32/863940.html |newspaper=[[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia]] |date=4 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Georgian PM commented on his statement on Eurasian Union |url=http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2186772.html |newspaper=[[Trend News Agency]] |date=6 September 2013}}</ref> Russia's Prime Minister [[Dmitri Medvedev]] included Georgia as a prospective member in statements made in August 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Medvedev wants Georgia to join Eurasian Union |url=http://dfwatch.net/medvedev-wants-georgia-to-join-eurasian-union-81032 |date=7 August 2013}}</ref>

==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 [[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|accessdate=27 August 2014|language=Russian|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.

===Supreme Eurasian Economic Council===
Important decisions for the Eurasian Economic Union are addressed by the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which is composed of the Heads of State of the Member States. The Supreme Council determines the strategy, direction and prospects of integration and takes decisions aimed at achieving the goals of the union.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news|url = https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alta.ru%2Fshow_orders.php%3Faction%3Dview%26filename%3D14bn0044&sandbox=1|title = Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union|last = |first = |date = 29 May 2014|work = |accessdate = 30 August 2014|publisher = Alta}}</ref><ref name=":0" >{{Cite journal|url = http://sps.yurclub.ru/home/document/560461571|title = Draft Treaty of the Eurasian Economic Union (May 2014)|last = |first = |date = 29 May 2014|journal = |accessdate =30 August 2014 |doi = |pmid = |website = yurclub.ru}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.zhgtu.kz/images/stories/eeu/31548839.doc |title=Draft Treaty of the Eurasian Economic Union (May 2014) |last= |first= |date=29 May 2014 |journal= |accessdate=30 August 2014 |doi= |pmid= |publisher=Zhambyl Humanitarian-Technical University |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090533/http://www.zhgtu.kz/images/stories/eeu/31548839.doc |archivedate=19 August 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|url = http://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=31548839|title = Draft Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (May 2014)|last = |first = |date = 29 May 2014|journal = |accessdate =30 August 2014 |doi = |pmid = |website = online.zakon.kz}}</ref> It also approves the budget and the distribution of the contribution of the Member States.

===Eurasian Economic Commission===
{{main article|Eurasian Economic Commission}}
{{Politics of the Eurasian Union}}

The agreement signed by Russia's president [[Dmitry Medvedev]], Kazakhstan's president [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] and Belarus' president [[Alexander Lukashenko]] established the Eurasian Commission, the supranational governing body of the Eurasian Economic Space, which started work on 1 January 2012.<ref name=tut.by/> The Eurasian Commission was modelled on the [[European Commission]].<ref name="bbc18Nov2011" /> Its headquarters are in [[Moscow]].<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal /> The commission monitors subordinate branches and advisory bodies. Its departments were greatly expanded on 1 January 2015, and the number of international employees increased from 150 to 1,200.

The Eurasian Commission can take decisions on not only the customs policy of the union, but also on the macro-economy, the competition regulations, the energy policy and the fiscal policy of the Eurasian Economic Union. It has strict anti-corruption laws.<ref name=":3">{{cite news |script-title=ru:Встреча президентов России, Республики Беларусь и Казахстана |url=http://kremlin.ru/news/13581 |work=kremlin.ru |language=Russian |date=18 November 2011 |accessdate=19 November 2011}}</ref>

The Eurasian Economic Commission consists of two bodies: the Council and the Collegium.

====Council====

The council is composed of the Vice Prime Ministers of the member states. The council of the Commission oversees the integration processes in the Union, and is responsible for the overall management of the Eurasian Commission. It monitors the commission by approving the draft budget of the union, the maximum number of personnel, and the qualification requirements for the commission's employees. The council convenes once every quarter.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

It also considers issues of customs cooperation, trade and development of Eurasian integration. The council regularly holds discussions on the important aspects of the EEU and meets with business representatives of the member states.<ref>{{cite web|title=Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission|url=http://www.customsbemoscow.org/home/05-subjects/organisations/01-customs-union/eurasian-economic-commission/council-of-the-eurasian-economic-commission|website=CustomsBeMoscow|accessdate=8 July 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215331/http://www.customsbemoscow.org/home/05-subjects/organisations/01-customs-union/eurasian-economic-commission/council-of-the-eurasian-economic-commission|archivedate=3 March 2016}}</ref>

====Collegium====

The collegium is composed of twelve commissioners, one of which is the Chairman of the board.<ref group=journal>{{cite book|title=Eurasian Union Brochure 2014 - English|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/Documents/broshura26_ENGL_2014.pdf|pages=26–27|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref> Each member state provides three commissioners to the Collegium of the Eurasian Commission who carry out the operational management and oversee the everyday work of the Eurasian Commission.<ref name=bbc18Nov2011/> All twelve commissioners are appointed by the Supreme Eurasian Council for a four-year renewable term. The commissioners also receive the status of federal ministers in their respective countries.<ref name=tut.by/>

The Collegium of the Commission is the executive body of the Commission. It convenes once every week at least, and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Eurasian Economic Union. It has a wide range of activities, including monitoring the implementation of treaties, submitting annual progress reports and making recommendations. The board of the commission also assists member states in the settlement of disputes, and carries out the draft of the union's budget. Part of its activities include being the intermediary between the departments of the commission and the heads of state of the member states.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

A number of departments are headed by the commissioners. The lower rank staff is composed of 84% Russian officials, 10% Kazakhs and 6% Belarusians, proportional to the populations of the member states.<ref name="bbc18Nov2011" /> The departments enable the Board of the Eurasian Commission to make decisions not only with regard to customs policies, but in such areas as [[macroeconomics]], regulation of [[Competition (economics)|economic competition]], [[energy policy]] and [[financial policy]]. The Commission departments are also involved in [[government procurement]] and [[Human migration|labour migration]] control.<ref name="tut.by" />

{{clear left}}

===Parliament===
As of 2015, the EEU has no directly or indirectly elected body. In 2012, the creation of a Eurasian parliament was under consideration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Naryshkin Calls for Establishment of Eurasian Parliament|url=http://en.ria.ru/russia/20120425/173043817.html|publisher=RIA novosti|accessdate=9 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EURASIAN PARLIAMENT PLANNED|url=http://www.wnd.com/2012/10/russian-backed-eurasian-parliament-planned/|publisher=WND|accessdate=9 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=D.|first1=Mukhtarov|title=Home › Central Asia › Kazakhstan Russian, Kazakh and Belarusian MPs to discuss Eurasian Parliament creation|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/kazakhstan/2061652.html|website=Trend|accessdate=9 July 2014}}</ref> However, it was considered too premature, and member states have instead begun harmonising national laws and legal codes.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Steven Blockmans|author2=Hrant Kostanyan|author3=Ievgen Vorobiov|editor1-last=CEPS|title=Towards a Eurasian Economic Union: The challenge of integration and unity|url=http://www.ceps.eu/system/files/CEPS%20Special%20Report%20No%2075%20-%20Towards%20a%20Eurasian%20Economic%20Union.pdf|date=December 2012|issue=75|pages=3|accessdate=9 July 2014|series=Special Report|publisher=Centre for European Policy Studies|location=Place du Congrès 1}}</ref>

Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] has upheld the idea of creating a parliament for the union.<ref>{{cite web|title=Creation of Eurasian Union parliament deemed possible|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/708233|publisher=Itar-Tass|accessdate=9 July 2014}}</ref>

===Court of the Eurasian Economic Union===
The Court of the Eurasian Economic Union replaced the Court of the [[Eurasian Economic Community]] (EurAsEC Court) in 2015. It is in charge of dispute resolution and the interpretation of the legal order within the Eurasian Economic Union. Its headquarters is in [[Minsk]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Edward Borovikov|author2=Igor Danilov|title=Notes on the Future Court of the Eurasian Economic Union|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/b2b-notes-on-the-future-court-of-the-eurasian-economic-union/499094.html|publisher=Moscow Times|accessdate=10 July 2014|date=28 April 2014}}</ref> The court is composed of two judges from each member state, appointed by the heads of government of the member states. Their term of office is nine years.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

===Budget===

The approved budget of the Eurasian Economic Union for 2015 exceeds 6.6 billion Russian Rubles.<ref>{{cite news|title=EEU budget 2015 to exceed RUB 6.6bn|url=http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/EEU-budget-2015-to-exceed-RUB-66bn_i_77821.html|accessdate=7 January 2015|publisher=BelTA|date=4 December 2014}}</ref><ref name=budget>{{cite news|title=EEU budget 2015 to exceed RUB 6.6bn|url=http://www.inform.kz/eng/article/2724891|accessdate=7 January 2015|publisher=Kazinform|date=8 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=EEU budget 2015 to exceed RUB 6.6bn|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/176903/eeu-budget-2015-to-exceed-rub-6-6bn.html|accessdate=7 January 2015|publisher=Turkish Weekly|date=8 December 2014}}</ref> The budget is formed from contributions by the union's member states. In 2015, 6 billion Rubles will be allocated for the activity of the [[Eurasian Economic Commission]], 463 million Rubles will be set aside for financing the operation and further development of the EEU integrated information system designed to promote and inform consumers of the EEU's activities, and over 290 millions Rubles will finance the activities of the [[Court of the EEU]].<ref name=budget group=note>These numbers only reflect the official budget (direct money) allocated for the functioning of the union. Vast amounts of additional funds come from national governments and other institutions to ease, promote or facilitate Eurasian integration.</ref><ref name=budget />
Extra expenses of infrastructure and accommodation of commission workers are financed by Russia.<ref name=tut.by/>
In addition, Russia allocated USD$1 billion to accelerate Kyrgyzstan's entry into the union.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia to allot $1.2 billion to help Kyrgyzstan in accession to Customs Union|url=http://itar-tass.com/en/economy/734052|accessdate=7 January 2015|publisher=Tass|date=30 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Russia To Allocate $1.2 Billion To Help Kyrgyzstan Join Customs Union|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-to-allocate-12-billion-to-help-kyrgyzstan-join-customs-union/25404113.html|accessdate=7 January 2015|publisher=Radio Free Europe - Radio Liberty|date=30 May 2014}}</ref> Another USD$ 177 million was provided by Kazakhstan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bishkek Astana wants $ 177 million for the CU|url=http://www.kursiv.kz/news/details/vlast/bishkek_khochet_ot_astany_177_mln_za_vstuplenie_v_ts/|accessdate=7 January 2015|publisher=kursiv.kz|date=28 June 2014}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:GDP PPP 2016 Selection EN.svg|270px|thumb|Selection of GDP PPP data (top 10 countries and blocks) in no particular order]]

===Formation and overview===
[[File:Московский международный деловой центр «Москва-Сити» 14.07.2014.jpg|250px|left|thumbnail|The [[Moscow International Business Center]] is a commercial district in [[Moscow]] that is currently under construction. The complex includes Europe's tallest towers.]]

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 EEU. 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 [[Single Economic Space]] established a [[single market]] across the territory of [[Belarus]], [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]]. In 2015 with the entry into force of the EEU Agreement, the single market was expanded to include [[Armenia]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. The countries represent a market of some 183 million people and a combined GDP of around $4 trillion.

Russia has the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|12th largest economy]] in the world by nominal GDP and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|6th 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 [[Eurasian Customs Union]] in 2010, trade between member states rose sharply. In 2011 mutual trade was USD 63.1 billion, 33.9% more than in 2010. In 2012, mutual trade was USD 67.9 billion and combined exports reached USD 593.7 billion, while imports were USD 340.9 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. EEU members like Belarus and Kazakhstan (by its [[Nurly Zhol]] economic policy) seek to leverage the EEU 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>

The Eurasian Union is considered as a major player in the world's energy sector, [[raw materials]], [[arms industry]] and [[agricultural production]]. In 2013 Russia was the 3rd most successful country in the world in attracting capital from abroad.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_01_30/Russia-becomes-third-among-world-countries-with-largest-amount-of-foreign-investments-5847/|title = Russia becomes third among world countries with largest amount of foreign investments|last = Guryanov|first = Leonid|date = 30 January 2014|work = |accessdate = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-is-no-3-in-attracting-foreign-direct-investment/493559.html|title = Russia is No. 3 in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment|last = |first = |date = 29 January 2014|work = |accessdate = }}</ref>
The significant potential for developing infrastructure has led the member states and its partners to create links by constructing roads, railways, electric power grids and fibre-optic cables.

<gallery mode=packed heights=140px>
File:Elite Plaza Business Center at Night.jpg|[[Yerevan]], the capital and financial hub of [[Armenia]]
File:WTC-Moscow.jpg|World Trade Centre in [[Moscow]]
File:Central Downtown Astana 2.jpg|Business Centre - Central Downtown [[Astana]]
File:Almaty, Kok-tobe exposition 3.jpg|[[Almaty]], the major commercial and cultural centre of [[Kazakhstan]]
File:View from Imperia Tower Moscow 04-2014 img12.jpg|[[Mercury City Tower]] - [[Moscow]]
File:Bischkek.jpg|[[Bishkek]], the capital and financial hub of [[Kyrgyzstan]]
</gallery>

===Internal market===
{{main article|Eurasian Economic Space}}

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.<ref name=singlemarket>{{cite web|title=Belarus to benefit from Eurasian Economic Union|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_07_01/Belarus-to-benefit-from-Eurasian-Economic-Union-Lukashenko-3114/|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref> 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>{{ru icon}} [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 [[Eurasian Customs Union]] on 1 January 2010.
Objectives include joint coordination in the area of energy, industry, agriculture and transport.

Roughly 75% of Belarusian goods are exported, about half of which go to other member states.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/belarus/|title = Trade - Belarus|date = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = European Commission|last = |first =}}</ref> Trade within the union primarily consists of Belarusian machinery and agricultural products which are exported to Russia. Low gas prices from Russian energy producers are guaranteed to member states or countries wishing to join the union.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://eng.belta.by/all_news/president/EEU-Treaty-is-beneficial-for-Belarus-Lukashenko-says_i_74134.html|title = EEU Treaty is beneficial for Belarus, Lukashenko says|last = |first = |date = 1 July 2014|work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = Belarusian News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.monitorglobaloutlook.com/Briefings/2014/06/eurasian-union-will-redirect-belorussian-trade|title = Eurasian Union will redirect Belarussian trade|last = |first = |date = 13 June 2014|work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = Monitor Global Outlook|publication-place = Belarus, Minsk}}</ref>

===Competition===
The [[Eurasian Economic Commission]] operates a competition policy to ensure equal competitive conditions in the commodity markets of the Single Economic Space. It also aims at harmonisation and improvement of legislation of each of the three countries in regard to competition policy. The commission serves as the competition regulator for the single market and is also responsible for antitrust issues. Special regulations limit state intervention in the economy.<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal /><ref>{{cite web|title=Competitiveness Policy|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/act/caa/Pages/default.aspx|publisher=Eurasian Commission|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref>

===Monetary union===
{{Quote box|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|width=350px|quote=The increased use of the national currencies of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and the creation of a single payment system can raise about a transition to a single currency for the union.|source='''— Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Director of Financial Policy Department of the Eurasian Economic Commission''', August 3, 2014<ref>{{cite news|title=Media: Eurasian Economic Union may acquire a single currency|url=http://vz.ru/news/2014/8/3/698621.html|accessdate=8 December 2014|publisher=VZ.ru|language=Russian|quote=В случае успешного расширения использования национальных валют России, Белоруссии и Казахстана, создания единой платежной системы может быть поднят вопрос о переходе к единой валюте, пишет «Российская газета».}}</ref> }}

Kazakhstani President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] had first proposed, in 2009, the creation of a common noncash currency called "yevraz" for the Eurasian Economic Community. It would have reportedly helped insulate the countries from the global economic crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/kazakhstan-suggests-a-new-currency/375212.html|title=Kazakhstan Suggests a New Currency - News|work=The Moscow Times|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref> In 2012, the idea of the new joint currency found support from Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev and by 2014 proposals were drafted in Eurasian Commission documents for the establishment of a Eurasian Central Bank and a common currency to be called the [[altyn]] which is to be introduced by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus to have new joint currency|url=http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/10-04-2014/127325-russia_kazakhstan_belarus_new_currency-0/|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Altyn 1711.jpg|thumb|250px|A silver altyn minted in 1711 during the reign of [[Peter the Great]]]]
When discussing the Eurasian Economic Union, [[Vladimir Putin]] said the Eurasian Economic Union would include closer coordination of economic and monetary policy, including the use of a [[common currency]] in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikileaks.ch/gifiles/docs/50/50116_eurasian-union-proposal-key-aspect-of-putin-s-expected.html|publisher=Wikileaks|accessdate=8 July 2014|title=Eurasian Union Proposal Key Aspect of Putin's Expected Presidency}}</ref> Although the creation of a [[monetary union]] was not envisaged in the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty, Russian Prime Minister [[Dmitry Medvedev]] called for the introduction of a common currency for the Eurasian Economic Union. [[Leonid Slutsky (politician)|Leonid Slutsky]], head of the State Duma's CIS committee, backed Medvedev's proposal to start discussions on the creation of a monetary union. Slutsky said it could be introduced shortly after 2015, when the union's structure becomes clear.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Irina|first1=Filatova|title=What Euro Crisis? Russia Seeks Single Currency|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/what-euro-crisis-russia-seeks-single-currency/460456.html|publisher=Moscow Times|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Possible currency union within Eurasian Economic Union to be considered in future |url=http://english.pravda.ru/russia/economics/10-04-2014/127325-russia_kazakhstan_belarus_new_currency-0/|publisher=Pravda|accessdate=8 July 2014}}</ref>
Belarusian president, [[Alexander Lukashenko]], circulated the idea of creating a "new [[euro]]" for the Eurasian economic bloc. In April 2014, discussions to introduce a single currency resumed.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister, [[Igor Shuvalov]], stated on 24 July 2014 that the Eurasian Economic Union will have a common currency unit in a span of five to ten years.<ref name=currency>{{cite web|title=Eurasian Economic Union to have common currency in 5-10 years|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/742323|accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref>

===Energy===

[[File:Moscow. Kaluzhskoe subway electric engine house. Pic.2.jpg|thumbnail|250px|View of headquarters of [[Gazprom]], [[Moscow]], the world's largest extractor of gas]]
The Eurasian Economic Union is seen as an energy superpower, producing about 20.7% of the world's natural gas, and 14.6% of the world's oil and [[gas condensate]] in 2012, making it the world's top producer in both domains. It also produces 9% of the world's [[electrical energy]] and 5.9% of the world's coal, making it the third and fourth producer in the world, respectively.
In [[Kazakhstan]], energy is the leading economic sector. The country holds about 4 billion tons of proven recoverable oil reserves and 2,000 cubic kilometers (480 cu mi) of gas. Kazakhstan is the world's 17th largest [[oil exporter]] and the world's 23rd largest [[natural gas exporter]].

[[Russia]] has the world's largest [[natural gas reserves]],<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2253rank.html Country Comparison :: Natural gas – proved reserves]. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 3 February 2014.</ref> the 8th largest [[oil reserves]],<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2244rank.html Country Comparison :: Oil – proved reserves]. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 3 February 2014.</ref> and the second largest [[coal reserves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/pdf/Energy-economics/statistical-review-2014/BP-statistical-review-of-world-energy-2014-coal-section.pdf|title=BP Statistical review of world energy 2014|publisher=BP|format=pdf|date=2014|accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref> Russia is also the world's leading natural gas exporter<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2251rank.html Country Comparison :: Natural gas – exports]. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 3 February 2014.</ref> and the second largest [[natural gas producer]],<ref name=cia-gas>"[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2249rank.html Country Comparison :: Natural gas – production]", CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 3 February 2014.</ref> while also the largest oil exporter and the largest [[oil producer]].

By 2019, Russia, Kazakhstan, [[Belarus]] and [[Armenia]] intend to create a common electricity market as well as a single [[hydrocarbons]] market by 2025. "With the creation of a single hydrocarbons market, we will have a deeper coordination that will allow us to be more competitive both in terms of pricing and in terms of getting high value added products in this very interesting and important market", stated Eurasian Commissioner [[Daniyal Akhmetov]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Plaschinsky|first1=George|title=Eurasian Integration: Does Lukashenka Have A Choice?|url=http://belarusdigest.com/story/eurasian-integration-does-lukashenka-have-choice-17740|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Belarus Digest|date=6 June 2014|quote=Integrators postponed creation of the single electrical energy market to 2019 and the single financial and oil and gas markets to 2025.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mukhtarov|first1=Daniyar|title=Single hydrocarbons market of Eurasian Economic Union to be created by 2025|url=http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2277110.html|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Trend|date=24 May 2014|quote=The single hydrocarbons market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAU) will be created by 2025, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Danial Akhmetov said.}}</ref>

===Infrastructure===
[[File:Trans-Siberia048.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[Trans-Siberian Railway]] is a vital link to the Russian Far East.]]
The major economic centres are [[Moscow]], [[Minsk]] and [[Astana]]. 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 1 trillion USD by 2020 to modernise the country's infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia to spend $1 trillion on infrastructure|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2007/09/21/russia-investment-idUKL2121712020070921|publisher=Reuters UK|accessdate=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|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref>

[[Kazakhstan]] ranks favorably in terms of miles 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|accessdate=6 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=KAZAKHSTAN|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/utility/printdocument.aspx?id=1G2:3410100141|website=Encyclopedia.com|accessdate=6 January 2015}}</ref>

Railways have been the primary way of linking countries in the Eurasian Economic Union since the 19th century. It has always been the main way of transport in the [[Russian Empire]] and the [[Soviet Union]] up until today. The union ranks 2nd in the world in terms of railway trackage (about 7.8% of the world's share). However it is still looking to improve cross-border trade within the union.

The [[Eurasian Development Bank]] has pledged to help in the construction of facilities to produce new generation freight cars and freight containers in [[Tikhvin]], [[Russia]] and in [[Osipovichi]], [[Belarus]] to respond to the increasing demand for rail transport. Projects have also been launched in Kazakhstan, as the landlocked country is highly dependent on railways for trade.

The most renowned railway in the union is the [[Trans-Siberian Railway]] which links the [[Russian Far East]] to Moscow. The Southern route also travels via Kazakhstan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Investing in development and integration|url=http://eabr.org/general//upload/Presentations/Буклет%20о%20проектах%20банка%20новый_анг.pdf|publisher=Eurasian Development Bank|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref><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#ixzz37MpBsJ7j|publisher=Encyclopedia of the Nations|accessdate=14 July 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Turk-Sib railway.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Turkestan–Siberia Railway]] connects the Central Asian republics to [[Siberia]].]]
The [[Trans-Asian Railway]] and the [[Asian Highway Network]] are cooperative projects among countries in Asia and Europe which have helped to improve highway and railway systems across the region. Six of the eight major Asian highways go through the Eurasian Economic Union (the [[AH3]], [[AH4]], [[AH5]], [[AH6]], [[AH7]] and the [[AH8]]). The highways connect the EEU to many countries including [[Finland]], [[Turkey]], [[Iran]], [[Pakistan]], [[India]], [[Laos]], [[Thailand]], [[Burma]] and [[China]]. [[AH6]] goes through Russia's [[Trans-Siberian Highway]] which is over 11,000 kilometers long. The Trans-Siberian Highway is one of the longest national highways in the world along with the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] and [[Highway 1 (Australia)|Australia's Highway 1]].

A major railway, known as the [[Eurasian Land Bridge]] allows goods to be transported from China and the EEU to [[Europe]]. An expansion of the original railway line named the [[New Eurasian Land Bridge]] provides an uninterrupted rail link between China and the EEU. Talks with China, India and Burma are ongoing to expand the railway network. In June 2014, it was announced that Russia, [[North Korea]] and [[South Korea]] would cooperate to expand the Eurasian Land Bridge to connect the peninsula. Advantages of exporting products by rail through the EEU are reduced shipping times and reduced costs. The railways also have the potential for expansion, with the future creation of [[high-speed railway]] lines being considered.<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia to extend Trans-Eurasian rail project to Korea|url=http://rt.com/business/164116-russia-railway-north-korea/|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref>

====Single Eurasian Sky====

The Single Eurasian Sky programme, administered by the [[Eurasian Economic Commission]], outlines the creation of a single market for air services and a single [[Control zone|air traffic zone]]. The single air traffic zone would make it easier for airlines to draw up new flight paths, thereby increasing the number of flights flying through the region. Eurasian Commissioner, [[Daniyal Akhmetov]], said that it would be created on a step-by-step basis.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Akhmetov|first1=Daniyal|title="The CU railroad alliance to increase share of carriage from China to EU via the SES territory 10-folds," - Member of the EEC Board -Minister in charge of Energy and Infrastructure Daniyal Akhmetov|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/nae/news/Pages/22-05-2014-1.aspx|publisher=Eurasian Economic Commission|accessdate=4 September 2014|date=22 May 2014}}</ref> In June 2014, Belarusian Airline [[Belavia]] stated that it was ready to move towards the development of the Single Eurasian Sky. The terms and conditions of operation in the common aviation market have not yet been agreed on. However, the project is likely to be modelled on the European Union's [[Single European Sky]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Belavia: Belarus ready to move pretty fast towards single Eurasian sky|url=http://eng.belta.by/all_news/economics/Belavia-Belarus-ready-to-move-pretty-fast-towards-single-Eurasian-sky_i_74020.html|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Belarusian News: National Source of News|date=26 June 2014|location=Minsk}}</ref> The project will reportedly help turn the airspace of the Eurasian Union into a popular transit hub between Europe and Southeast Asia. "We should understand that currently, the aviation companies of Kazakhstan and Belarus are not able to compete with Russia's aviation companies. Therefore, the programme will envisage a phasing, creating a competitive environment and so on", Eurasian Commissioner Akhmetov said.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mukhtarov|first1=Daniyar|title=Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus developing Single Eurasian Sky programme|url=http://en.trend.az/casia/kazakhstan/2277034.html|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Trend|date=22 May 2014}}</ref>

===Agriculture===
[[File:Ivan Shishkin - Рожь - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|250px|''A Rye Field'' by [[Ivan Shishkin]]]]
The Eurasian Economic Union is the top producer of [[sugar beet]] and [[sunflower]], producing 18.6% of the world's sugar beet and 22.7% of the world's sunflowers in 2012, as well as a top producer of [[rye]], [[barley]], [[buckwheat]], [[oats]] and [[sunflower seed]]. It is also a large producer of [[potatoes]], [[wheat]] and [[grain]] (and grain legumes).<ref name="eurasiancommission.org" group=journal />

Part of the competences of the [[Eurasian Economic Commission]] are agriculture subsidies. It is responsible for the coordination of agricultural policy-making between member states and ensuring collective food security.
The [[Eurasian Development Bank]] finances projects to further integration and develop agriculture. It has disbursed approximately US$470 million for projects between 2008 and 2013.

===Projected economic impact===

[[File:EEU GDP.svg|thumb|650px|Past and projected GDP (nominal) per Capita in EEU 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.

Former president [[Dmitry Medvedev]] of Russia stated that both the positive and negative experiences of the [[European Union]] will be taken into account and argued that the Eurasian Union will avoid the problems of economic gaps and disparity between countries,<ref name=":3" /> such as those found in the [[eurozone]], since the member countries have a comparable level of economic development, as well as common history and values.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=ru:Медведев: Евразийский экономический союз избежит проблем еврозоны |url=http://news.mail.ru/politics/7370197/ |work=[[Mail.ru|news.mail.ru]] |language=Russian |date=18 November 2011 |accessdate=19 November 2011}}</ref>

The [[European Union]] and the [[United States]] as well as other western countries remain critical of the Eurasian Economic Union, with analysts stating that without modernisation and real economic reforms, the union will have little impact.<ref name="WaPost" /> The popular magazine ''[[The Economist]]'' stated that the advantages of joining the union remain unclear<ref name="Economist">{{cite news|title=Where three is a crowd|work=The Economist|date=30 May 2014|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/05/introducing-eurasian-economic-union|accessdate=1 June 2014}}</ref> and further remarked "The agreement was vague, with technical details left unresolved, making it a political show rather than an economic one".<ref>{{cite news|title=Vladimir Putin's European adventures|work=The Economist|date=6 June 2014|url=http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21603483-russian-presidents-strategy-towards-ukraine-and-west-may-not-have-worked-well-he|accessdate=7 June 2014}}</ref> Outlets have also stated that without [[Ukraine]], the Eurasian Economic Union has lost a key member state necessary to the success of the union. Bloomberg's business magazine, [[Businessweek]] has affirmed that joining Putin's Eurasian Union looks like a bad deal, including for Russia. The union "won't really register on the radar of the global economy," said an analyst at the EU's Institute for Security Studies in Paris.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-05-29/putins-eurasian-union-looks-like-a-bad-deal-even-for-russia|title = Putin's Eurasian Union Looks Like a Bad Deal, Even for Russia|last = Carol|first = Matlack|date = 29 May 2014|work = |accessdate = }}</ref>

Vladimir Putin stated in November 2011 that the Eurasian Economic Union would build upon the "best values of the [[Soviet Union]]"; however, critics have claimed that the drive towards integration aims to restore the "[[Soviet imperialism|Soviet Empire]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Putin, Medvedev praise values of Soviet Union |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/11/17/idINIndia-60590820111117 |newspaper=Reuters |date=17 November 2011 |accessdate=19 November 2011}}</ref>

===Free trade agreements===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! State !! Date of entry into force !! Signature !! Relations
!Treaty text
|-
||{{flagu|Vietnam}}
|5 October 2016<ref>{{cite web|title=VN-EEU FTA to come into force since October 5|url=http://news.chinhphu.vn/Home/VNEEU-FTA-to-come-into-force-since-October-5/20168/28157.vgp|accessdate=4 September 2016}}</ref>
|29 May 2015
|
|[http://wtocenter.vn/other-agreement/vietnam-eurasian-economic-union-fta-full-content EAEU-Vietnam FTA]
|-
||{{flagu|Uzbekistan}}
|9 January 2014 <ref group="note" name=":0">This is the date on which the FTA came into force for the non-EEU member concerned. [[CISFTA]] 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. See [[Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area]] for detailed information of the FTA.</ref>
|18 October 2011
|[[CISFTA|CISFTA negotiations]]
|[http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowRelAgreement.aspx?rtaid=762 CISFTA]
|-
||{{flagu|Moldova}}
|1 January 2013 <ref name=":0" group="note" />
|18 October 2011
|[[CISFTA|CISFTA negotiations]]
|[http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowRelAgreement.aspx?rtaid=762 CISFTA]
|-
||{{flagu|Ukraine}}
|20 September 2012 <ref name=":0" group="note" /><ref name=":RuUK" group="note">Suspended with regard to Russia from 1 January 2016</ref>
|18 October 2011
|[[CISFTA|CISFTA negotiations]]
|[http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowRelAgreement.aspx?rtaid=762 CISFTA]
|-
||{{flagu|Serbia}}
|Currently negotiating (ETA not yet known)
|6 June 2016
|
|[http://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicShowRelAgreement.aspx?rtaid=762 CISFTA]
|}

In force since 2012, the multilateral CIS Free Trade Zone Agreement established [[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 and Moldova. 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/|work=Eurasian Business Briefing|title=Russia suspends FTA with Ukraine as EU agreement looms|date=17 December 2015|accessdate=24 December 2015}}</ref>

The Union has signed a first free trade agreement<ref>{{Cite web|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|accessdate = 2016-06-07|website = |publisher = [[Russia Beyond the Headlines ]]|last = |first = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.rt.com/business/263101-russia-vietnam-free-trade/|title = Vietnam signs free trade deal with Russia-led EEU economic bloc|date = 29 May 2015|accessdate = 2016-06-07|website = |publisher = [[Russia Today]]|last = |first = }}</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/|accessdate = 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|accessdate = 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|publisher=|accessdate=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 2.24 billion USD.<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|work=TalkVietnam|accessdate=3 November 2014}}</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|url=http://en.ria.ru/politics/20140719/191039085/Turkey-May-Create-Free-Trade-Zone-with-Eurasian-Customs-Union-.html|accessdate=26 July 2014}}</ref>

As announced by Russian Deputy Prime Minister [[Arkady Dvorkovich]] on 9 December 2013, [[Israel]] is considering starting free trade negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-12/10/c_132954367.htm|title=Moscow eyes common free trade zone between Customs Union, Israel|publisher=|accessdate=25 September 2014}}</ref> The feasibility study was conducted between the two parties and the decision was made to proceed with free trade negotiations, which are expected to start before the end of 2016. Experts believe the negotiations will take around 2 to 3 years to finish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/economy/20160926/1477902729.html|title=Израиль начнет переговоры о Зоне свободной торговли с ЕАЭС до конца года|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref>

[[Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] stated at a July 2014 meeting of ambassadors and permanent representatives of the [[Russian Federation]] that he was ready to discuss a free trade area between the [[European Union]] and the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref name="Putin spoke of a free trade area between the European Union and the Eurasian Union">{{uk icon}} [http://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2014/07/1/472475/ Putin spoke of a free trade area between the European Union and the Eurasian Union], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (1 July 2014)</ref>

In February 2015, [[Egypt]]ian president [[Abdel Fattah al-Sisi]] announced his country would sign a free-trade agreement with the Eurasian union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/business/230987-egypt-russia-free-trade/|title=Egypt to join Russia-led Eurasian free trade zone}}</ref> The preliminary feasibility study has been conducted and the decision to launch negotiation process is expected to be made before the end of 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kommersant.ru/doc/3076713|title=Решение по созданию зоны свободной торговли между ЕАЭС и Египтом будет принято до конца года|newspaper=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref>

There have been discussions on free trade negotiations with over 30 different countries, some of them resulting in the preliminary feasibility studies. Such feasibility studies have been conducted with India, the Republic of Korea

In May 2015, the Union gave the initial go-ahead to signing a free trade agreement with [[Iran]]. Described as the EAEU's "key partner in the [[Middle East]]” by [[Andrey Slepnev]], Minister for trade on the Eurasian Economic Commission board in an expert-level EAEU meeting in [[Yerevan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/05/15/411131/Iran-eurasia-union-free-trade-russia|title=PressTV-Eurasian union okays free trade with Iran|publisher=|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref> [[Viktor Khristenko]] furthermore noted that Iran is an important partner for all the EAEU member states. He stated that "Cooperation between the EAEU and Iran is an important area of our work in strengthening the economic stability of the region".<ref>[http://tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=246117 Iran, Eurasian Economic Union mull over Free Trade Zone]</ref> In December 2015 a "temporary Agreement" was signed between Iran and the EAEU, which Commissioner Andrey Slepnev characterized as the "first step toward the materialization of free trade between Iran and the Union".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/12/24/443052/Iran-Russialed-bloc-sign-trade-deal/|accessdate=24 December 2015|title=Iran, Russia-led bloc sign trade deal|date=24 December 2015|work=Press TV}}</ref>

One of the key initiatives in the field of free trade and economic cooperation is the proposal on "linking" the Eurasian economic integration and China's strategic "[[One Belt, One Road|Silk Road Economic Belt]]" project. The relevant communique was signed by Russia's [[Vladimir Putin]] and China's [[Xi Jinping]] on 8 March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kremlin.ru/supplement/4971|title=Совместное заявление Российской Федерации и Китайской Народной Республики о сотрудничестве по сопряжению строительства Евразийского экономического союза и Экономического пояса Шелкового пути|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref> While the "linking" mostly is understood as support for infrastructure investments, there are ongoing negotiations between the EAEU and China on a "trade and economic agreement" in order to build "an open economic architecture without a political component, oriented on business and reducing barriers".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurasiancommission.org/en/nae/news/Pages/24-08-2016-1.aspx|title=Tigran Sargsyan's visit to Beijing: new impetus to "conjugation" of the EAEU and the SREB|access-date=2016-09-29}}</ref>

===Pivot to Asia===

The union is actively seeking to increase trade with [[East Asia]]. It commenced talks for official trade cooperation with [[ASEAN]]. Officials of both unions discussed opportunities for developing cooperation between them.<ref>{{cite news|title=Customs Union could start official trade cooperation with ASEAN - EEC|url=http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=533140|accessdate=8 January 2015|publisher=Interfax|date=1 September 2014}}</ref>
The South Korean president launched a "Eurasian Initiative", which seeks to connect transportation, electrical, gas and oil links from Western Europe to East Asia.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Asmolov|first1=Konstantin|title=The Eurasian initiative by the President of South Korea|url=http://journal-neo.org/2014/08/28/rus-evrazijskaya-initsiativa-prezidenta-rk/|accessdate=8 January 2015|publisher=New Eastern Outlook|date=28 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kwon|first1=Yong|title=South Korea's Eurasia Ambitions|url=http://thediplomat.com/2014/08/south-koreas-eurasia-ambitions/|accessdate=8 January 2015|publisher=The Diplomat|date=20 August 2014}}</ref> The initiative echoes [[China]]'s long-standing "[[One Belt, One Road|New Silk Road]]" project.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Iglauer|first1=Philip|title=Eastern interest in Eurasian economic deal|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/CEN-01-110614.html|accessdate=8 January 2015|publisher=Asian Times|date=11 June 2014}}</ref>
The members of the union agreed to step up talks with [[Vietnam]] on creating a [[free trade zone]], to strengthen cooperation with China, including in information exchange on goods and services, and to set up expert groups to develop preferential trade regimes with [[Israel]] and [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Samofalova|first1=Olga|title=Historic agreement makes Eurasian Union a reality|url=http://rbth.com/business/2014/06/02/historic_agreement_makes_eurasian_union_a_reality_37113.html|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Russia Beyond the Headlines|date=2 June 2014}}</ref>

====Russia====
[[File:Russia and China sign major gas deal.jpeg|thumb|left|250px|On 21 May 2014, [[Russia]] and [[China]] signed a $400 billion gas deal. Starting 2019, Russia plans to provide [[natural gas]] to China for the next 30 years.]]
The [[European Council on Foreign Relations]] and analysts suggest the Eurasian Union includes strategic interests as well as economic interests for its member states, especially Russia. In order to link both Europe and East Asia, Russia seeks to develop its eastern regions to increase its access to Asian markets. [[Russian Far East|Russia’s Far East]] has gained even more importance due to its proximity to alternative markets since the [[European Union]] and [[United States]] imposed [[International sanctions during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|sanctions on Russia following the crisis in Ukraine]].<ref name="Development Far East" group=journal>{{cite journal|isbn= 978-1-910118-03-0|author1=Alexander Gabuev|editor1-last=Liik|editor1-first=Kadri|title=Russia's Pivot to Asia: The development of the Russian Far East|date=May 2014|page=84|url=http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR103_RUSSIA_COLLECTION_290514_AW.pdf|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=European Council on Foreign Relations|location=35 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9JA, United Kingdom|quote=This Asian vector of Russian domestic and foreign policy is now becoming even more important as the European Union and the United States impose sanctions on Russia. The Russian Far East, with its proximity to Asia, could become the new backbone of the Russian economy}}</ref>

China’s rise as a major trading partner has been cited as a potential reason for Russia’s loss of control over Central Asian economies. The union is seen as a way to counterbalance China’s growing trade in [[Central Asia]] and the [[Eastern Partnership|European Union’s Eastern Partnership]].<ref name="Trames" group=journal />

As the trading bloc seeks to profit from the growing economies of East Asia, Russia has made steps to develop its eastern territories, [[Siberia]] and the Russian Far East.<ref name="Development Far East" group=journal /> However, the development of the Russian Far East may face difficulties due to Russia's traditional orientation towards Europe and the region's backward infrastructure and underdeveloped economy.<ref name="Eurasian Russia in 21st Century" group=journal>{{cite journal|isbn= 978-1-910118-03-0|author1=Timofei Bordachev|editor1-last=Liik|editor1-first=Kadri|title=Russia's Pivot to Asia: Eurasian Russia in the twenty-first century|date=May 2014|page=27|url=http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR103_RUSSIA_COLLECTION_290514_AW.pdf|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=European Council on Foreign Relations|location=35 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9JA, United Kingdom|quote=In the first months of 2014 the work of the recently created Ministry for the Development of the Far East was significantly reinvigorated. Some governmental agencies were relocated from Moscow to Vladivostok and some major companies have been advised to follow with their main offices. But Russia’s "pivot" is still held back by its backward infrastructure, its corruption, its underdeveloped economy, its demographic problems, and above all its archaic Eurocentric economic thinking.}}</ref> In 2012 Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] called for Russia to "catch the Chinese wind in the sails of the Russian economy".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vladimir|first1=Putin|title=Russia and the changing world|url=http://archive.premier.gov.ru/eng/events/news/18252/|accessdate=2 October 2016|publisher=Prime Minister of the Russian Federation|date=27 February 2012|quote=First of all, I am convinced that China's economic growth is by no means a threat, but a challenge that carries colossal potential for business cooperation - a chance to catch the Chinese wind in the sails of our economy. We should seek to more actively form new cooperative ties, combining the technological and productive capabilities of our two countries and tapping China's potential - judiciously, of course - in order to develop the economy of Siberia and the Russian Far East.}}</ref> During the same year, a Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East was established and the country hosted a summit of the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] forum (APEC) in its eastern city of [[Vladivostok]]. The country also began striking deals and undertook massive efforts to improve infrastructure in its eastern territories.<ref name="Eurasian Russia in 21st Century" group=journal />
Russia’s pivot to Asia included the important task of creating a Eurasian trading bloc. The countries seek to increase their competitiveness by sustaining domestic development and defending their interests in the region.<ref group=journal>{{cite journal|isbn= 978-1-910118-03-0|author1=Vladislav Inozemtsev|editor1-last=Liik|editor1-first=Kadri|title=Russia's Pivot to Asia: Russia turns east: Eurasian integration, regional development, and the West as East|date=May 2014|page=62|url=http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR103_RUSSIA_COLLECTION_290514_AW.pdf|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=European Council on Foreign Relations|location=35 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9JA, United Kingdom|quote=He said the creation by 2015 of a Eurasian Economic Union was the most important task facing Russia in its "near abroad".}}</ref>
An estimated 76% of Russia’s exports depend on resources extracted (or manufactured) in Siberia. In order to transport goods from East Asia to Europe, they must be transported through Siberia by rail. Hence, the region plays an important role in trade. However, it remains less developed than Russia’s western regions and modernisation plans are ongoing.

In 2013 the Russian government announced it would spend 450 billion Rubles (USD$14 billion) for the modernisation of the [[Trans-Siberian Railway|Trans-Siberian]] and [[Baikal–Amur Mainline|Baikal-Amur]] railways. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Trans-Siberian railway the country’s "strategically vital transport artery". In July 2013 he stated "Rail freight traffic to our Far East ports has increased by 55 percent over the last 5 years and now comes to around 110 million tons a year". Projects to upgrade stations at the border with Mongolia, China and North Korea were also undertaken the same year.<ref group=journal>{{cite journal|isbn= 978-1-910118-03-0|author1=Alexander Gabuev|editor1-last=Liik|editor1-first=Kadri|title=Russia's Pivot to Asia: The development of the Russian Far East|date=May 2014|page=80|url=http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR103_RUSSIA_COLLECTION_290514_AW.pdf|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=European Council on Foreign Relations|location=35 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9JA, United Kingdom|quote=The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Vladivostok in September 2012 cost the state 680 billion roubles (over $22 billion) – one-third of which came from the federal budget, with the rest put up by state companies such as Gazprom. In 2012 the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East was created and in 2013 long-time Putin ally Yury Trutnev was appointed to oversee the development of the region in the joint role of deputy prime minister and presidential envoy to the region. In 2013 the government also allocated 300 billion roubles ($10 billion)[...]}}</ref>

[[File:Meeting Nazarbayev Xi Jinping 2013.JPG|thumb|300px|In 2013, [[Kazakhstan]] and [[China]] signed 22 deals worth $30 billion, including several deals enhancing the countries' cooperation in the [[oil]] and [[gas]] sector.]]

Some experts also see the union as a way to curtail the loss of Russian influence in Central Asia.<ref name="Trames" group=journal>{{cite journal|last1=Yesdauletova|first1=Ardak|last2=Yesdauletov|first2=Aitmukhanbet|title=THE EURASIAN UNION: DYNAMICS AND DIFFICULTIES OF THE POST-SOVIET INTEGRATION|journal=TRAMES|date=1 March 2014|issue=1|pages=12–13|url=http://www.kirj.ee/public/trames_pdf/2014/issue_1/Trames-2014-1-3-17.pdf|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers|format=pdf|quote=The Single Economic Space, which in the near future will be transformed into the Eurasian Union, has strategic aims as well as economic ones. Marlene Laruelle and Sebastien Peyrouse, both share this opinion about the diminution of Russia’s influence on Central Asian countries. However, the Kremlin continues to conduct an active policy aimed at maintaining effective tools to influence the Central Asia region.}}</ref> Russian politicians have voiced their concerns over Russia’s long southern borders and the challenges it may pose. By creating a regional trading bloc to keep its neighbours in Central Asia stable, Russia hopes to find securing its own borders easier.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Trenin|first1=Dmitri V.|last2=Malashenko|first2=Alesksei V.|last3=Lieven|first3=Anatol|title=Russia's Restless Frontier: The Chechnya Factor in Post-Soviet Russia|date=29 February 2004|publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|page=120|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tcab0VXTqnQC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=challenges+russia%27s+southern+border&source=bl&ots=P8H-m0xU1b&sig=IkoTpIXyaJTyEi9g1ClxklYB17I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MMgEVLDTC83H7Abl8oGADg&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=southern%20borders&f=false|accessdate=4 September 2014|chapter=4}}</ref>

====Kazakhstan====
[[File:Nazarbayev Xi Jinping 2013.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Kazakh President [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] meets [[Xi Jinping]], the Chairman of the [[People’s Republic of China]] on 6 April 2013.]]
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 USD$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|accessdate=4 September 2014|publisher=The Institute for Security and Development Policy}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

==Demographics==
The combined population of all member states is 183,319,693 as of 2015.
{{Largest urban centers of the Eurasian Union}}
The Eurasian Economic Union has 17 cities with more than 1 million inhabitants, the largest being [[Moscow]]. The most densely populated areas are the capital cities of member states and [[European Russia]]. [[Siberia]] is the region with the least inhabitants. In [[Russia]] about 160 different ethnic groups and indigenous peoples live within the country's borders.<ref name=ethnicgroups>[http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_nac_02.php Ethnic groups in Russia] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622084055/http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_nac_02.php |date=22 June 2011 }}, 2002 census, ''Demoscope Weekly''. Retrieved 5 February 2009.</ref> [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Belarus]] are home to sizable ethnic Russian minorities.
Though the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union's populations are comparatively large, [[list of countries by population density|its density is low]] because of the enormous size of Russia and Kazakhstan.
The Eurasian Economic Union's average birth rate in 2010 was roughly 12.5 births per 1000 people, higher than the [[European Union]], which has an average of 9.90 births per 1000 people.

===Languages===
Numerous minority languages are spoken widely across the Union. However, official languages spoken are [[Armenian language|Armenian]], [[Belarusian language|Belarusian]], [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]], [[Kyrgyz language|Kyrgyz]] and [[Russian language|Russian]]. [[Russian language|Russian]] is widely spoken not only in [[Russia]] but also in [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. In these countries Russian has status of official language and is taught in most public schools.

==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]. 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|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref> gas and oil reserves,<ref>{{cite web|title=Russian raw materials companies in the lead|url=http://voiceofrussia.com/2011/04/11/48767037/|publisher=Voice of Russia|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref> 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|accessdate=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|accessdate=27 August 2014}}</ref> as its key assets for trade with foreign countries.

===Economic partners===

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 EEU 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.

Tensions with the European Union in 2014 have increased both unions to pressure [[post-Soviet states]] to join their integration unions. Both sides have accused each other of carving spheres of influence.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cfr.org/europe/european-unions-eastern-partnership/p32577|title = The European Union's Eastern Partnership|last = Jeanne|first = Park|date = 14 March 2014|work = |accessdate = 19 August 2014|publisher = COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/lavrov-has-harsh-words-for-eu/494681.html|title = Lavrov Has Harsh Words for EU|last = Bodner|first = Matthew|date = 17 February 2014|work = |accessdate = 19 August 2014|publisher = The Moscow Times}}</ref> Members of the union, especially Russia have tried to diversify their trade by signing economic agreements with China,<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2634822/Red-wedge-Chinas-bid-security-alliance-Russia-Iran-not-United-States.html|title = China signs $400billion deal to prop up Russia's economy as it becomes isolated Vladimir Putin's new best friend|last = TOMLINSON|first = SIMON|date = 21 May 2014|work = |accessdate = 19 August 2014}}</ref> Iran<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://qz.com/166851/why-russia-would-buy-500000-barrels-of-iranian-oil-a-day-and-undermine-the-nuclear-negotiations/|title = Why Russia might be crazy enough to buy Iranian oil and undermine nuclear talks|last = LeVine|first = Steve|date = 14 January 2014|work = |accessdate = 19 August 2014|publisher = QUARTZ}}</ref> and Turkey.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.ibtimes.com/eu-looks-alternatives-russian-gas-turkey-vacillates-between-east-west-1584836|title = As EU Looks For Alternatives To Russian Gas, Turkey Vacillates Between East And West|last = Kotsev|first = Victor|date = 19 May 2014|work = |accessdate = 19 August 2014|publisher = IBTIMES|newspaper = International Business Times}}</ref> Trade with North and South Korea has also risen.<ref>{{cite web|title=President of Russian Railways attends opening of transshipment terminal in North Korean port Rajin|url=http://en.portnews.ru/news/184086/|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kirk|first1=Donald|title=S. Korean Dream Line: Rail Link Via N.Korean Eco Zone To Russia|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/donaldkirk/2014/03/06/s-koreas-dream-line-rail-link-through-russia-via-n-korea-zone/|website=Forbes|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia-Korean Visa Exemption Program to Stimulate Bilateral Trade by 40%|url=http://koreabizwire.com/russia-korean-visa-exemption-program-to-stimulate-bilateral-trade-by-40-study/15773|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref>

A rising China has been increasingly interested in Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://thediplomat.com/2014/06/how-significant-is-the-eurasian-economic-union/|title = How Significant Is the Eurasian Economic Union?|date = 4 June 2014|accessdate = 19 August 2014|publisher = 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|accessdate=27 August 2014|date=17 July 2014}}</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=http://thediplomat.com/2014/05/chinas-new-silk-road-vision-revealed/|accessdate=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|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/china-establishing-new-silk-roads/1953455.html|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=China considers high-speed 'silk railroad' to Europe|url=http://www.nce.co.uk/china-considers-high-speed-silk-railroad-to-europe/8667079.article|accessdate=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 news|url = http://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|work = |accessdate = 30 August 2014|publisher = The Diplomat}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/07/uk-kazakhstan-china-deals-idUKBRE98608520130907|title = China, Kazakhstan to ink deals worth $30 billion on Saturday|last = ZHUMATOV|first = SHAMIL|date = 7 September 2013|work = |accessdate = 30 August 2014|publisher = Reuters|location = Astana, Kazakhstan}}</ref>

Iran has sought to diversify its economy as well, seeing the EEU 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. 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|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/11014604/Vladimir-Putin-signs-historic-20bn-oil-deal-with-Iran-to-bypass-Western-sanctions.html|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia and Iran strike oil agreement|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/101899870#.|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref>

Kazakhstan seeks to enhance its ties with Turkey, a key player in the region. In July 2014, Turkey announced closer economic ties with the EEU, including a possible free trade agreement in the near future.<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey Proposes Free Trade Zone with Eurasian Union|url=http://asbarez.com/125154/turkey-proposes-free-trade-zone-with-eurasian-union/|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref>

===Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh===
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev 2 November 2008-3.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Ilham Aliyev]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]] and [[Serzh Sarkisian]] hold peace talks in [[Moscow]] on 2 November 2008.]]
In September 2013 Armenia announced its intentions of joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.<ref name=ack>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67852 |title=Giorgi Lomsadze: Will Karabakh "Join" Russia's Customs Union? |website=EurasiaNet.org |accessdate=10 December 2013}}</ref> The region of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]], however, is disputed between [[Armenia]] and [[Azerbaijan]]. Tensions rose further in the [[Caucasus]] region on 30 July 2014 due to clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|title=ARMENIA BLAMES AZERBAIJAN FOR DEADLY INCIDENT|url=http://www.radiofree.org/us/armenia-blames-azerbaijan-for-deadly-incident/|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref>

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 the west. 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 |accessdate=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 build no customs border including 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 |accessdate=14 May 2014}}</ref>

===Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan===
When Russia's [[Gazprom]] bought the gas network of [[Kyrgyzstan]] in April 2014 pledging "a stable gas supply", [[Uzbekistan]] subsequently cut off its gas exports to Kyrgyzstan's south stating that it had no contracts to sell gas to Gazprom. The cut off happened as Uzbek president, [[Islam Karimov]] protested Russia's growing presence in the region.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url = http://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|last = |first = |date = 26 July 2014|work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = The Economist}}</ref> The shut-off left hundreds of thousands in south Kyrgyzstan without gas. The president of Kyrgyzstan has since promised to build a new gas pipeline to the country's south, bypassing Uzbekistan. He also announced the country would pursue integration and continue on its path to join the Eurasian Economic Union.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://en.ria.ru/world/20140529/190215559/Kyrgyzstan-Aims-to-Join-Eurasian-Economic-Union-by-Year-End-.html|title = Kyrgyzstan Aims to Join Eurasian Economic Union by Year-End – President|last = Sergey|first = Guyeev|date = 29 May 2014|work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = RIA Novosti}}</ref> Gazprom later announced it had struck a deal to restore gas supplies to southern Kyrgyzstan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gazprom secures gas supplies to southern Kyrgyzstan|url=http://www.gazprom.com/press/news/2014/december/article211713/|publisher=Gazprom|accessdate=8 January 2015}}</ref>

Previously, [[Tajikistan]] was on track to become a potential member of the union, having signed the treaty on the Eurasian Customs Union and the Single Economic Space. However, due to border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the integration process in Tajikistan has stalled.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url = http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21608806-plan-export-electricity-looks-cursed-mi-casa-no-es-tu-casa|title = A plan to export electricity looks cursed|last = |first = |date = 26 July 2014|work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = The Economist}}</ref> Both countries exchanged fire in December 2013 and August 2014, which resulted in casualties.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://en.itar-tass.com/world/746643|title = Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan border guards engage in shootout again|last = |first = |date = 26 August 2014|work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = Itar Tass}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.yahoo.com/two-killed-border-skirmish-between-tajikistan-kyrgyzstan-113727690.html|title = Two killed in border skirmish between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan|last = |first = |date = |work = |accessdate = 26 August 2014|publisher = Reuters}}</ref> Both countries have since announced they would resolve conflicts and improve border cooperation. Officials hope to make significant progress by the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan improve border co-operation "Central Asia Online"|url=http://www.eng.24.kg/bigtiraj/173808-news24.html|accessdate=8 January 2015|publisher=24.kg}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Turn To Soviet Archives In Border Talks|url=http://www.indiagazette.com/index.php/sid/229157427|accessdate=8 January 2015|publisher=India Gazette|date=7 January 2015}}</ref>

===International response===

{{Quote box|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|width=350px|quote=The emphasis of the Eurasian Union is on economic integration, but this extends into the political and even security realms. For instance, the use of a single currency and a bureaucracy to manage the economic space would by design translate into Russian domination.|source='''— [[Stratfor]], published by Wikileaks, Eurasian Union Proposal Key Aspect of Putin's Expected Presidency''', 19 March 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=Eurasian Union Proposal Key Aspect of Putin's Expected Presidency|url=http://wikileaks.ch/gifiles/docs/50/50116_eurasian-union-proposal-key-aspect-of-putin-s-expected.html|publisher=Wikileaks|accessdate=8 December 2014|date=6 October 2011}}</ref>}}
Former European commissioner, [[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 [[Ukrainian crisis]] 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|accessdate=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|website=youtube.com|publisher=World Economic Forum|accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref>

Tensions between the EEU 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]]. Russia and the EU both pressured Ukraine to join their respective economic blocs to the exclusion of the other, which ultimately led to Ukraine being torn in two,<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 the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution|unwilling departure of the elected president]],<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|work=the Guardian|accessdate=4 June 2015}}</ref> and Russia then [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexing]] the [[Crimea|Crimean peninsula]] (following a [[Crimean status referendum, 2014|referendum]]) and supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guide to the EU deals with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28038725|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lithuania ratifies Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova agreements with EU|url=http://dfwatch.net/lithuania-ratifies-ukraine-georgia-moldova-agreements-with-eu-61065|accessdate=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. Analysts believe Russia backs the Eurasian Economic Union in order to limit western influence in the region.<ref name=":5" />

Western analysts generally see the Eurasian Economic Union as a way to reunite many of the former Soviet republics. For example, ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' author Abigail Hauslohner wrote the treaty was intended "to further bolster [Russia]'s ties to former Soviet republics."<ref name=WaPost>{{cite news|title=Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus form Eurasian Economic Union|work=Washington Post|date=29 May 2014|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russia-kazakhstan-belarus-form-eurasian-economic-union/2014/05/29/de4a2c15-cb01-4c25-9bd6-7d5ac9e466fd_story.html|accessdate=1 June 2014}}</ref> The United States expressed its opposition to the Eurasian Union, claiming it is "an attempt" to re-establish a [[Soviet Union|USSR]]-type union among the former Soviet republics.<ref name=Hillary/> In December 2012, former [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] claimed "It's not going to be called that [Soviet Union]. It's going to be called customs union, it will be called the Eurasian Union and all of that, but let's make no mistake about it. We know what the goal is and we are trying to figure out effective ways to slow down or prevent it".<ref name=Hillary>[http://bigstory.ap.org/article/clinton-fears-efforts-re-sovietize-europe Clinton fears efforts to 're-Sovietize' in Europe] - Associated Press, 6 December 2012</ref>

Kazakhstan's president [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]] called it "a hard-won achievement" and "a blessing for our people."<ref name=WaPost /> Public support in Kazakhstan for the country's accession to the EEU stood at 68% in June 2014, with 5.5% opposed.<ref>[http://www.demos.kz/rus/index.php?article=28 Большинство казахстанцев поддерживают вступление Казахстана в Евразийский экономический союз, но 33% считают, что это не принесет им никакой выгоды]. ''Demoscope''. 2014-06-14.</ref>

[[India]], [[Israel]], [[New Zealand]], [[Tunisia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://itar-tass.com/en/economy/771189|title=Tunisia hopes to set up free trade zone with Customs Union, EEU|publisher=ITAR-TASS|date=14 January 2015|accessdate=14 January 2015}}</ref> [[Turkey]], and [[Vietnam]] are among the countries that expressed a desire to conclude trade agreements with the new Eurasian Economic Union after the treaty was signed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Putin's answer to EU – Eurasian Union|author=Vladimir Radyuhin|work=The Hindu|date=29 May 2014|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/putins-answer-to-eu-eurasian-union/article6062067.ece|accessdate=1 June 2014}}</ref>

==Existing integration projects==

{{Supranational PostSoviet Bodies|size=400px|align=right}}

The [[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 web|ssrn=2414597|title=Russia and Regional Trade Integration in a Historical Perspective: A Response to William E. Butler|publisher=Memphis Law Review, Vol. 36|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 journal|last1=Brusis|first1=Martin|title=A Eurasian European Union? Relaunching Post-Soviet Economic Integration|url=http://www.ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/1f692ccb-986b-4c38-92c0-c0a0aa55edad.pdf|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|accessdate=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|accessdate=6 January 2015|publisher=Tass}}</ref>

==See also==
{{columns |colwidth=40%
|col1=
*[[Central Asian Union]]
*[[Collective Security Treaty Organisation]]
*[[Commonwealth of Independent States]]
*[[Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations]]
*[[Comecon]]
*[[Eastern Bloc]]
*[[Enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union]]
*[[Eurasian Development Bank]]
*[[Eurasian Economic Community]]
*[[Eurasian Patent Convention]]
*[[Eurasian Patent Organisation]]
|col2=
*[[Eurasianism]]
*[[NATO]]
*[[Russian Empire]]
*[[Soviet Union]]
*[[Union of Sovereign States]]
*[[Union State]]
*[[Warsaw Pact]]
*[[Trade bloc]]
*[[List of country groupings]]
*[[List of multilateral free-trade agreements]]
}}
{{clear}}

==Notes and references==

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|group=note}}

===Journal articles and studies===
{{reflist|group=journal}}

===Online sources===
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.eaeunion.org/?lang=en Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)]
*[http://eec.eaeunion.org/en/ Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC)]
*[https://docs.eaeunion.org/en-us/ Legal portal of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)]
{{Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)}}
{{Eastern Bloc}}
{{Eurasian Integration}}
{{International power|state=collapsed}}
{{Trade|state=collapsed}}
{{Regional organisations|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Eurasian Economic Union| ]]
[[Category:1994 introductions]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Continental unions]]
[[Category:Economic integration]]
[[Category:Economy of Belarus]]
[[Category:Economy of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Economy of Russia]]
[[Category:Eurasianism]]
[[Category:Multilateral relations of Russia]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2015]]
[[Category:Post-Soviet alliances]]
[[Category:Trade blocs]]
[[Category:United Nations General Assembly observers]]

Kazakhstan Encyclopedia - User contributions [en]

Eurasian Economic Union