Moscow: Large-scale efforts are made to minimise negative  consequences of coronavirus on EAEU countries` socio-economic  development 

ArmInfo. The Eurasian Economic Union is making large-scale efforts to counter the novel coronavirus infection and minimise its negative consequences on the  socio-economic development of its members, the statement of the  Russia's Foreign Ministry reads. 

The EAEU is an economic union with a common customs territory and  common customs regulations. The EAEU countries work together on  decisions on the export and import of goods, as well as restrictions  linked with the spread of COVID-19. EAEU bodies have focused on  countering the pandemic and its aftermath.  

At council meetings in March and April, the Eurasian Economic  Commission (EEC) adopted a number of important decisions on customs,  tariff and non-tariff regulations.  Thus, customs duties have been  lifted on certain categories of goods needed for preventing the  coronavirus infection (medical gear), and critical imports (mostly  foods).  The EEC Board has introduced a temporary ban on the export  of these goods from EAEU territory. These measures will make it  possible to avoid a shortage of socially meaningful goods in the EAEU  in connection with the growth of demand for them due to the pandemic.

In addition, the EEC has established an interim coordinating council  for monitoring the efforts to prevent the coronavirus and develop  emergency response measures. It takes a direct part in the exchange  of information on adopted and planned national measures on preserving  macroeconomic stability, conducting trade in goods and analysing the  requirements and feasibility of delivering basic necessities in the  common territory.

In addition to this, the Five have also prepared a large package of  measures aimed at ensuring economic sustainability during the  development of the coronavirus pandemic.  The package was approved by  the prime ministers at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental  Council on April 10 of this year.

The format for the EAEU auxiliary body - the council of the heads of  authorised bodies on sanitary and epidemiological safety of the EAEU  population - has proved to be very useful. It has established a  regular exchange of information on the spread of the coronavirus and  implementation of measures on countering the epidemic in the EAEU  member states. The members have also reached agreement on  coordinating activities and discussing mutual assistance in the EAEU.

The efforts to counter the pandemic will be the key issue at an  extraordinary meeting of the members of the Supreme Eurasian Economic  Council (head of state level). This will be held as a videoconference  in the next few days.

The CIS is making active use of the Coordinating Council on the  Sanitary Protection of Territories from the Import and Spread of  Particularly Dangerous Infectious Diseases. An extraordinary meeting  took place on March 19 of this year. The next one will be held on  April 21. The CIS countries are exchanging experience and best  practices in medical and sanitary responses to the pandemic.

The CIS Executive Committee has created a working group on monitoring  the coronavirus pandemic. The results of the daily monitoring of the  situation in the CIS are reported to the member states.

Active cooperation within the CIS on countering the disease, its  spread and consequences is also carried out on a bilateral basis.   Despite the difficult epidemiological situation in this country, we  are helping other CIS members at their request, supplying them with  medical and diagnostic equipment, medication substances and raw  materials for the production of medicines and medical gear.

We are also exchanging experience on treating the disease in a  videoconference format.  Russia has given other CIS members over  1,500 test sets (each is enough for 100 tests for the coronavirus),  which were made by the Vektor State Research Centre of Virology and  Biotechnology at Rospotrebnadzor. We are planning to supply them with  over 3,000 test sets (including almost 2,000 sets of reagents for  sample preparation).

As we receive requests, we are facilitating the evacuation of EAEU  citizens from abroad using Russian airlines air carriers. To  facilitate this effort, the Government of the Russian Federation  decided on March 20 of this year not to extend the temporary  restriction on entry into Russia for CIS county citizens who arrive  through check points in our airports as well as those leaving for  home through airports and other check points''.