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Putin urges EAEU nations to raise economic sovereignty

Creating common payment infrastructure using up-to-date financial technologies in the bloc would enhance sustainability of national payment systems of the member states, the Russian leader noted

ST. PETERSBURG, December 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member-states should consider the idea of creating common payment infrastructure.

"We suggest that the issue of creating common payment infrastructure using up-to-date financial technologies in EAEU should be developed," he said at the opening of the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on Thursday.

According to President, "that would enhance sustainability of national payment systems of (EAEU) countries by making them less dependent on the dollar and other foreign currencies."

"That in a strict sense means raising economic sovereignty," he added.

Putin considers it "important to make sure that the coordination between EAEU member-states on monetary and financial policy is strengthening."

"The Russian side also suggests that the issues of eased travel of citizens should be put on the integration agenda, a closer cooperation in the fields of healthcare, education, tourism, sports and culture should be established," he emphasized.

Putin separately noted expansion of external ties of the Eurasian Economic Union, adding that in May an agreement on international treaties between EAEU and third countries and global organizations was signed. President also mentioned concluded memorandums on EAEU’s cooperation with CIS and ASEAN, which he referred to as "a step towards implementation of the big Eurasian partnership project."

"Today the decision on enforcement of the agreement on trade and economic cooperation with China and a temporary free trade zone with Iran should be made, and we expect the talks on preferential trade agreements with Singapore, Israel, Serbia and in the future with India and Egypt to be completed shortly," Putin said.