Russia invites Tajikistan to step up cooperation with EAEU

DUSHANBE. March 2 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has invited Tajik partners to step up cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"Interaction between Tajikistan and the EAEU will unlock unique opportunities of participation in relevant projects. There are many of them," Mishustin said at the bilateral interregional cooperation forum.

The EAEU's common market has over 180 million consumers, Mishustin said. The sides seek to deepen industrial cooperation and to launch new high-tech production facilities in strategic sectors.

"For that purpose, Union member states have agreed to activate a joint mechanism of supranational subsidies for such joint projects in the EAEU. Soft loans will be provided for their implementation. That will support breakthrough ideas. Even small economies will have wide access to the development of cutting-edge technologies," Mishustin said.

Mishustin mentioned the Eurasian Agroexpress among measures to boost the export potential of EAEU countries. "It expedites the delivery of agricultural products by rail. Almost 500,000 tonnes of cargo have been transported to date. [...] The establishment of modern logistic chains would serve as a good incentive for agricultural producers of Russia and Tajikistan and would make a substantial contribution to global food security," he said.