Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) can contribute to the development of technical progress in member countries.

The remarks were made by Kazakh political analyst Eduard Poletayev.

"The economic structure of our countries is quite primitive and if we want to produce something from finished products and make a full production cycle only by exporting natural resources, we need a comprehensive program for scientific and technical progress with the participation of several countries, as it was during the Soviet period. I believe, the Eurasian Economic Union can contribute to this aim," Poletayev said.

He made the remarks at a round-table titled 'Integration: The Eurasian Economic Union project reached the stage of signing', held by the World of Eurasia Fund on April 23.

The expert noted that it is difficult to forecast any criteria of success which the EEU seeks to achieve.

"It is difficult to define the measurable factors as well. We will probably be guided by some macroeconomic indicators used by our officials. First of all, these indicators include the growth of GDP, import, export, etc.," the expert said.

He went on to stress that the economic growth of both Russia and Kazakhstan is mainly provided by exporting natural resources.

"Meanwhile, some countries have other examples of success criteria. They include technological innovation, research, development, and high level of education. That's to say, the criteria of success are not only related to the GDP growth," Poletayev said.

The desire to become a leading country is a positive intention per se, the expert added.

"And one of the main points of growth is just the desire to turn the Eurasian Economic Union into a more or less successful post-Soviet integration structure. It is obvious that after the collapse of the USSR, economic growth was regarded as one of the main criteria of success in all three countries," the expert said.

The history of the EEU began in November 2011 with the signing of a series of documents, particularly a declaration on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Integration and an agreement on the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Commission and its regulations.

The heads of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan are expected to sign an agreement on the establishment of the EEU in May, 2014, and the organization will start its activity on January 1, 2015.

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.