Tokayev: It is extremely important to build cooperation with the key partner of the EAEU - China

The events of the past year have once again clearly demonstrated the importance of the development of the North-South transport corridor as a key element of the "new global logistics" President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the Eurasian Economic Forum "Eurasian integration in a multipolar world", the press service of Akorda reports. Indeed, in 2020 we adopted strategic directions for the development of the Eurasian economic integration until 2025. In fact, it was an assessment of what has been done and what is to come. A kind of actualization of goals and objectives. Of course, taking into account the enormous geographical coverage of the EAEU, the development of infrastructure connectivity has been and remains one of the most important priorities. Here we work at two levels at once: intra-union - through the integration of the participating countries in the field of transport and communications, and international - within the framework of the implementation of the international agenda and the development of cooperation in the field of transport and logistics with third countries," the head of state said. He added that, taking into account the largely transformed picture of global commodity flows, it is now fundamentally important to monitor and, if possible, create new directions throughout the region. In the east of us, one of the most striking and large-scale initiatives to build continental strategic connectivity is the Belt and Road project of the PRC. The demand for trade and economic cooperation along the North-South line has also increased many times. We are essentially at the center of these processes," the President of Kazakhstan said. Tokayev noted that the events of the past year have once again clearly demonstrated the importance of the development of the North-South transport corridor as a key element of the "new global logistics". This meridian corridor is coordinated with the latitudinal Trans-Caspian International transport route. Therefore, we see significant synergy in the coordinated and systematic development of both routes. This is not only a growth point for industry, transport and the economy. These routes are able to radically change the level of interaction and cooperation within the vast Eurasia," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said. He stressed that it is extremely important to build effective cooperation with the key political and economic partner of the Union - the People's Republic of China. China is both the largest shipper and the largest customer. Last week I had a state visit to this country, within the framework of which we launched the construction of a logistics center of Kazakhstan in the dry port of Xi'an. We expect that this port will become the main hub for sending direct container trains to Central Asia, Europe, Turkey and Iran. It is also planned to launch a railway connection on the Bakhty - Ayagoz section with the construction of a separate border crossing in China. Here we hope for fruitful cooperation with Russia, as the project significantly reduces the distance and delivery time of goods to China not only from Kazakhstan, but also from Western Siberia," the President of Kazakhstan said. According to him, in addition to the development of physical infrastructure, it is fundamentally important to pay special attention to the creation of soft infrastructure, that is, digitalization, simplification of customs administration and reduction of administrative burden. In general, it is no exaggeration to say that now we are, in fact, forming a new transport framework of Eurasia, which has never existed before. If we approach this issue thoroughly and together, we will be able to receive significant economic and political dividends. In this context, I think we have a common understanding of how important full-fledged and constructive international cooperation is. Therefore, active cooperation with China, India, Vietnam, Iran, Egypt, Israel, Serbia and other partners is an important indicator of the maturity of the Union and its trade and economic attractiveness," the head of state said. The President of Kazakhstan also spoke about the necessity and expediency of defining new priorities for the development of the Union. Of course, in any case, it is always necessary not only to deal with current problems, but also to plan work for the future. It is also necessary to respond adequately to changes in the environment around. All this should be based on a solid foundation. The more solid the foundation, the more solid and durable the building can be built. What is the foundation of our Union? The key element was and remains the full-scale implementation of the Treaty on the Union. That is, the implementation of the "four freedoms" and basic principles, such as non-discriminatory access to infrastructure, fair competition, equality and consideration of national interests," Tokayev said. He also added that it is not necessary to list numerous facts of regularly arising mutual barriers and restrictions. It is necessary to create a full-fledged "seamless" environment of interaction in the Union market. A significant number of set and declared goals have not yet been achieved. Therefore, in my opinion, first of all we need to focus on completing the solution of the basic tasks of cooperation within the Union. Without doing this, it is difficult to set even more ambitious goals. Before implementing something new, it is worth making every effort to make what was planned earlier work," the head of state said. He added that it is important to understand that economic integration is not an end in itself, it is one of the means of developing the economies and well-being of the peoples of the participating states. Therefore, the main measure of the success of economic integration is not the number of strategies, contracts and decisions, but new industries, technologies and jobs. For us, integration within the EAEU is primarily of an economic nature, as it is fixed in the 2015 agreement," the President of Kazakhstan said. He suggested that the most important thing for the countries of the economic union is to isolate the main interests and aspirations in the economic, industrial, trade agenda and bring them to a common denominator. And this is, without exaggeration, a colossally complex and ambitious task. The highest knowledge and diplomatic skills are required, but the most important thing is a constructive attitude and consideration of the interests of partners," Tokayev said. Recall that the President of Kazakhstan arrived in Moscow to participate in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, which will be held on May 25. Along with the leader of Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov are planning to participate in the forum, as well as President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping will deliver a video message.