Kazakhstan’s president to join EAEU leaders in St. Petersburg talks

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is scheduled to visit St. Petersburg on December 21–22, according to the presidential press service.

The Kazakh head of state will take part in a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, as well as in an informal meeting of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The agenda of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting includes consideration of current and priority issues related to the activities of the Eurasian Economic Union. Participants are expected to define strategic guidelines for further deepening integration processes, advancing the development of the common market, and improving the efficiency of cooperation among EAEU member states.

One of the key anticipated outcomes of the summit is the signing of an agreement on the establishment of a free trade zone between the EAEU and Indonesia. The agreement is expected to create new business opportunities for companies from the Union’s member states and to strengthen economic ties with one of Southeast Asia’s major economies.

In addition to the free trade agreement, the meeting is set to approve a number of other important decisions and program documents that will shape the future course of Eurasian economic cooperation.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is the highest governing body of the Eurasian Economic Union. It is responsible for defining the strategy, key directions, and long-term prospects of integration within the EAEU, and for adopting major decisions that are binding on all member states, including decisions related to the Union’s budget, the admission of new members, or the granting of observer status.

Meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council are held at least once a year, although extraordinary sessions may also be convened when necessary.

Last year, both the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the informal meeting of CIS leaders were also held in St. Petersburg.