Eurasian leaders meet at Minsk forum
Leaders from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and representatives from Cuba, Myanmar, and Nicaragua convened for the 6th Eurasian Economic Forum in Minsk, Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko opened the event at the Minsk International Exhibition Centre, highlighting the EAEU's achievements and its potential as a significant economic player. Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, also addressed the forum, emphasizing the importance of economic cooperation among member states.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who opted not to attend in person, participated via video link, reflecting Armenia's growing distance from post-Soviet organizations like the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) due to perceived lack of support in its conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The forum precedes an EAEU summit scheduled for June 27, which will include the five member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. During the plenary session, President Putin stressed the need for coordinated efforts in trade, industry, and digitalization to enhance the EAEU's global competitiveness. He also highlighted the importance of implementing strategic development plans for long-term integration.
Lukashenko called for the creation of a unique Eurasian product by leveraging the strengths of member economies and advocated for joint leadership in emerging sectors. He also emphasized the development of a unified digital platform to improve business operations across the union.
The forum attracted over 2,700 participants from 33 countries and featured six thematic blocks and 35 events focused on finance, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, technical regulation, and trade. This gathering underscored the EAEU's commitment to fostering deeper economic integration and collaboration among its member states.
