Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his two-day visit to Minsk. He will participate in the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
This meeting of the “five“ is the first at the highest level in 2025. The presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will attend in person. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will join via video link.
The leaders are expected to outline guidelines for further deepening integration in the EAEU. They will pay attention to the issues of product labeling, the single market for services, the expansion of transport corridors and coordination in international activities.
In an expanded session, the floor will be given to all participants in the meeting, including guests and observers. These include, in particular, the observer countries Cuba and Uzbekistan, as well as the invited countries the United Arab Emirates and Mongolia. Since 2024, Iran has had the status of an observer state, but its President Masoud Pezeshkian was unable to come against the backdrop of the escalation in the Middle East - he sent a video message.
At the summit, the EAEU countries are planned to sign an economic partnership agreement with the UAE, as well as an interim trade agreement with Mongolia.
Putin arrived in Minsk on Thursday. He took part in the Eurasian Economic Forum, where he spoke about the "bias" of Western financial institutions and attempts to steal Russian assets, as well as to strengthen regional systems and enhance the role of BRICS and the EAEU.
Serbia maintains an interest in rapprochement with BRICS, and the development of relations with the members of the association is a strategic priority for the republic.
This was stated by Serbian Prime Minister Džuro Măsut to TASS in his first foreign interview.
„We consistently defend the need to deepen cooperation with our traditional partners and friends. The BRICS countries are the most important players on the world stage and developing strong mutually beneficial relations with them is of strategic interest to us, he said.
The Prime Minister specified that at the same time, Serbia “continues its path towards membership in the European Union“.