Turkmenistan not considering to join Eurasian Economic Union
By Aynur Jafarova
Turkmenistan considers Russia its strategic partner, but the country is not considering joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).
These remarks were made by Turkmen Ambassador to Russia Berdymurat Rejepov on July 13.
"In a political context, Turkmenistan and Russia support each other at the UN, OSCE, CIS and other international organizations. Generally, we have a similar vision on the Caspian issues," Rejepov told RIA Novosti.
Commenting on a question about prospects of Turkmenistan's joining the EEU, Rejepov said Turkmenistan is committed to the neutrality policy and its foreign relations are based on bilateral relations.
"Turkmenistan is an associate member of CIS; our country is discussing integration projects on the territory of CIS," the ambassador said.
Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia signed an agreement on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on May 29.
The agreement consists of four large sections, including about 1,000 pages, 28 chapters, 118 articles and 32 applications.
The first article of the agreement specifies that the union is an international organization that focuses on regional integration.
The main conditions to join the organization are: having unified tariffs and technical regulations, harmonizing labor and immigration legislation and establishing a unified banking system.
Turkmenistan is a permanently neutral state, and his status was recognized and supported by the UN General Assembly. Turkmenistan is pursuing the policy of positive neutrality and defense sufficiency, the main keynote of which is non-participation in any military coalitions.