Fri, 10/07/2015 - 13:41
UFA, 10 July (BelTA-TASS) – Heads of state are ready to implement the idea of coupling the Eurasian Economic Union with the Silk Road Economic Belt. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made the relevant statement during the expanded participation session of the Heads of State Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Ufa on 10 July, BelTA has learned.
The Russian President said: “We are ready to put effort into implementing the idea of coupling together two integration projects — the Eurasian Economic Union and the Silk Road Economic Belt.”
According to Vladimir Putin, SCO member states intend to set up an international center for project financing on the basis of the organization's interbank association. The President of the Russian Federation noted that the improvement of cooperation between SCO countries in financial matters is perceived as a priority task. Vladimir Putin also said he believes it is necessary to more actively use the abilities of the financial bodies that already exist in the region — the Eurasian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the emerging New Development Bank of the BRICS association.
Vladimir Putin also said that Russia is in favor of creating a working group as part of the SCO's regional counterterrorism structure for the sake of counteracting the financing of terrorism through drugs trade. In particular, the Russian head of state drew attention to the problem of growing opiates production in Afghanistan. He stressed that considerable funds earned by selling drugs are utilized to support terrorists and extremists. According to the Russian Federation data, in 2014 Afghanistan's opium poppy cultivation increased by 7%, with the turnout of opiates reaching 6,400 tonnes (5,500 tonnes in 2013).
The President of Russia confirmed that as a result of the SCO summit the Ufa Declaration will be adopted and a package of documents will be signed. In his words, participants of the event are expected to discuss the strategy meant to guide the SCO's development till 2025. The document specifies concrete cooperation tasks for the next ten years. “We will also have to sign new agreements on border matters and a program for interaction in fighting terrorism and the drugs threat,” noted Vladimir Putin.
The Russian leader reminded that the Ufa summit will end the Russian Federation's presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He noted that the presidency had been geared towards promoting further interaction across the border, stronger potential and respect for the organization.
source: http://eng.belta.by/all_news/politics/Leaders-ready-to-couple-Eurasian-Economic-Union-with-Silk-Road-Economic-Belt_i_83106.html
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