Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union Structure and Benefits

The Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is a unique economic entity that has been in place since 2015. It's made up of five member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

The EAEU's structure is designed to facilitate free movement of goods, services, and people among its member states. This includes a common customs territory, which eliminates tariffs and other trade barriers.

One of the key benefits of the EAEU is the creation of a single market with a population of over 180 million people. This provides a huge market for businesses to operate in and access new customers.

The EAEU's customs union also allows for the free movement of capital, which helps to promote economic integration and cooperation among member states.

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The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has a unique membership structure. The treaty establishing the EAEU was formally signed by three states: Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

These three countries were part of the former Soviet Union. They signed the treaty on May 29, 2014, paving the way for the EAEU to expand.

Armenia and Kyrgyzstan joined the EAEU in 2015. Armenia signed its treaty to join on October 9, 2014, while Kyrgyzstan signed its treaty on December 23, 2014.

The EAEU currently has five member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been actively working on expanding its membership since its inception. Armenia was one of the first countries to join the EAEU in 2015, followed by Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Armenia's decision to join the EAEU was announced in September 2013, after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The treaty enlarging the EAEU to Armenia was signed on October 9, 2014.

Kyrgyzstan joined the EAEU in 2015, with facilitation of labour migration regulations with Russia seen as the main benefit of joining the union. Moldova was granted Observer Status in April 2017, while Uzbekistan and Cuba became observer members on December 11, 2020.

Iran was designated as an observer member by the leaders of the five Eurasian Union member states in December 2024. The event was also attended by Mohammad Atabek, Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade.

Here is a list of the current member states of the EAEU:

The EAEU has also been working on expanding its free trade agreements with other countries. A bilateral free trade agreement with Serbia is in force in Kazakhstan, while a bilateral free trade agreement with Turkmenistan is in force in Belarus and Armenia.

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Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh is a disputed region between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia announced its intentions of joining the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia in September 2013.

The country already had preferential treatment within the CIS as a party to the Free Trade Zone Agreement of 18 October 2011, which granted significant tariff benefits. Armenia's membership to the Eurasian Economic Union resulted in about $250 million a year in customs revenue.

Armenia benefited from secured privileges for 752 products until 2020, implying no EAEU tariffs due to Union membership. Joining the Union allowed the country to get even more tangible economic effects due to the functioning of the Common Economic Space.

The region of Nagorno-Karabakh is not expected to be integrated into the Eurasian Union, as Armenia is a permanent political, military, and economic ally of Russia, while Azerbaijan holds close ties with Armenia's long-standing enemy Turkey. The Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed concern in 2013 about drawing a reliable customs border between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia will not build any customs borders, including with the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, according to the Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Armenian Parliament, Artak Zakarian. Armenia's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union led to a 1.9% GDP increase between January–June 2018 for the EEU countries.

The Eurasian Economic Union's organizational structure is rooted in the development stages of the Customs Union. The first step towards this structure was the signing of the Treaty on the Customs Union between Belarus and Russia in 1995.

The Customs Union between Kazakhstan and Russia was also signed in 1995, laying the groundwork for the future structure. This was followed by the Agreement on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields in 1996, which involved Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The Eurasian Economic Commission started functioning in 2012, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Customs Union's organizational structure. The Commission plays a crucial role in overseeing the Customs Union and Single Economic Space.

Here's a brief overview of the key milestones in the development of the Customs Union's organizational structure:

The Eurasian Economic Union's (EEU) structural evolution is a fascinating story of gradual integration. The EEU's journey began in 1995 with the signing of the Treaty on the Customs Union between Belarus and Russia, and the Treaty on the Customs Union between Kazakhstan and Russia.

These early agreements laid the foundation for what would become the EEU. The next significant step was the Agreement on Increased Integration in the Economic and Humanitarian Fields in 1996, which involved Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan.

The EEU continued to grow and develop, with the signing of the Treaty on the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space in 1999. This agreement aimed to complete the formation of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space, involving Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Here's a brief overview of the EEU's major milestones:

The EEU's structural evolution is a testament to the power of collaboration and cooperation among nations. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a major economic union, the EEU has come a long way.

The council is a crucial part of the Eurasian Commission's organizational structure. It's composed of Vice Prime Ministers from the member states.

The council oversees the integration processes in the Union and is responsible for the overall management of the Eurasian Commission. It approves 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, which is a regular occurrence. It also considers issues of customs cooperation, trade, and development of Eurasian integration.

The council regularly holds discussions on important aspects of the EAEU and meets with business representatives of the member states.

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The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has a plan to simplify trademark registration for member countries. This plan aims to create a single application covering all EAEU countries.

Currently, independent applications must be filed in each country, but a unified system is in the works. The Eurasian Economic Union was created in 2015 and currently has five member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

The EAEU trademark system will be similar to the Madrid Agreement/Protocol, but with some key differences. For example, there will be no unified office for EAEU trademarks, but rather a joint cooperation of offices from all EAEU countries.

A unified register of EAEU trademarks will be created, making it easier for applicants to manage their trademark registrations. The registration procedure will be simpler, faster, and cheaper.

Here are the key steps involved in the EAEU trademark registration process:

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has a complex economic system, with a focus on cooperation and trade. The EAEU's single market allows for the free movement of goods, services, and investments among its member states.

The EAEU's largest economies by PPP-adjusted GDP are China, the US, India, and Russia. These four economies account for a significant portion of the world's economic output.

The EAEU has a competition policy in place to ensure equal competitive conditions in the commodity markets of the Single Economic Space. Special regulations limit state intervention in the economy.

The EAEU has also made significant progress in trade agreements, with 65 agreements on mutual protection of investments and investment promotion having entered into force. These agreements include partnerships with countries such as Cambodia, Iran, and Morocco.

Here are some key statistics on the EAEU's trade agreements:

The EAEU's trade agreements have also expanded to include services and investment, with agreements such as the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement & Economic Integration Agreement.

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The economy of the Eurasian Economic Union is a significant aspect of its development. The union has created a powerful economic center, unifying over 170 million people.

The Eurasian Economic Union is made up of four large economies: China, the US, India, and Russia. These countries have a combined GDP of over $22 trillion, making them a significant force in the global economy.

The union's customs union has been in place since 2010, with a common external tariff on all goods entering the market. This has facilitated trade within the union, with 75% of Belarusian goods being exported to other member states.

Member states have also achieved the "four freedoms" of the single market, including the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people. This has enabled citizens to move freely among member states to live, work, study, or retire.

Here are the four member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, listed in order of their GDP (PPP-adjusted):

The union's economic policies aim to achieve joint coordination in areas such as energy, industry, agriculture, and transport. This has led to benefits for member states, including low gas prices from Russian energy producers.

The Eurasian Economic Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring equal competitive conditions in the commodity markets of the Single Economic Space.

It operates a competition policy aimed at harmonisation and improvement of legislation in each of the three countries regarding 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, providing a level playing field for businesses to operate.

The Eurasian Economic Union has made significant strides in modernizing its infrastructure, particularly in the realm of transportation. The major economic centers of Moscow, Minsk, and Astana are connected by a vast network of roads, with Kazakhstan ranking favorably in terms of kilometers of road per inhabitant.

One of the key challenges facing the EAEU is the distance between its member states, with Moscow and Minsk being 717 kilometers apart, and Moscow and Astana being a whopping 2700 kilometers apart. To address this issue, major infrastructure projects began in the 2000s to modernize and connect the regional bloc to other markets.

The EAEU has a rich history of rail transportation, dating back to the 19th century. In fact, it ranks 2nd in the world in terms of railway trackage, with about 7.8% of the world's share.

The Eurasian Development Bank has pledged to help construct facilities to produce new generation freight cars and freight containers in Tikhvin, Russia and in Osipovichi, Belarus. This is in response to the increasing demand for rail transport, particularly in landlocked countries like Kazakhstan.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the most renowned railways in the union, linking the Russian Far East to Moscow and traveling through Kazakhstan via the Southern route.

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The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has made significant strides in cooperation, trade, and investment agreements. The EAEU has signed bilateral agreements with several third countries, including Vietnam, Iran, China, Serbia, and Singapore.

These agreements aim to facilitate trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and its partner countries. For instance, the EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement & Economic Integration Agreement covers trade in goods and trade in services.

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The EAEU has also signed agreements on mutual protection of investments and investment promotion with several countries, including Cambodia, Iran, Morocco, and the State of Palestine. These agreements have entered into force, facilitating investment and cooperation between the EAEU and its partner countries.

Russia has concluded 82 agreements on mutual protection of investments and investment promotion, with 65 agreements having entered into force.

Here are some key highlights of the EAEU's cooperation, trade, and investment agreements with third countries:

The EAEU's cooperation, trade, and investment agreements with third countries are an important step towards promoting economic cooperation and integration in the region.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been actively engaging in international relations to promote trade and cooperation with other countries. The EAEU has concluded agreements with several countries, including Vietnam, which signed the 2015 EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement & Economic Integration Agreement.

The agreement covers trade in goods and trade in services, demonstrating the EAEU's commitment to facilitating economic integration with its partners. Russia has also concluded 82 agreements on mutual protection of investments and investment promotion with countries like Cambodia, Iran, Morocco, and the State of Palestine.

The EAEU's focus on trade in services is evident in its agreement with the European Union, the Armenia–EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which was signed in 2017 and classified as an agreement on trade in services by the World Trade Organization.

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The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been actively engaging with third countries to establish trade agreements and promote economic cooperation. The EAEU's Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (Article 35) delegates the power to conclude free trade agreements to the supranational level, but its member states can independently conclude agreements on investment and trade in services.

The EAEU has signed bilateral agreements with several countries, including Vietnam, Iran, China, Serbia, and Singapore. These agreements cover various aspects of trade and economic cooperation, such as trade in goods and services, customs cooperation, and intellectual property.

Here are some key agreements signed by the EAEU with third countries:

The EAEU is also exploring potential agreements with other countries, including Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mongolia, and the UAE.

The international response to the Eurasian Economic Union has been mixed. Former President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso praised Kazakhstan for joining the bloc.

The EU supports regional integration, including the Eurasian Union, but criticizes the post-Soviet space for insufficient integration. A major obstacle to good cooperation between the EU and the EAEU is the Russo-Ukrainian War.

The EAEU and the European Union have competing interests in several former Soviet republics. The EU has signed free trade agreements with Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, while separatists in these countries prefer closer ties with Russia.

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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. The US has imposed sanctions on Russia, which led to the abandonment of the pipeline project.

Western analysts see the EAEU as a way to reunite former Soviet republics under Russian influence. The United States has expressed opposition to the Eurasian Union, claiming it is an attempt to re-establish a USSR-type union.

Public support in Kazakhstan for the country's accession to the EAEU is high, with 68% of citizens in favor in June 2014. Several countries, including Thailand, Iran, and Turkey, have expressed a desire to conclude trade agreements with the EAEU.

The Eurasian Customs Union has been a significant step towards economic integration between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, but its impact is unclear. In fact, trade between the three states actually fell 13% during the agreement's first year.

The Eurasian Economic Union is said to be a continuation of this customs union. This means that the existing economic ties between the three countries will continue to evolve.

The Union State of Russia and Belarus is another regional organisation that provides a basis for further integration. This union aims to create a single economic and political entity between the two countries.

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation, consisting of six countries including Russia and Belarus, also plays a role in regional integration.