MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged to boost the international ties of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including the talks on free trade with the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

In an address to EAEU colleagues on the occasion of Russia’s chairmanship in the integration in 2023, which was published on the Kremlin’s website on Monday, Putin stressed the importance of cooperation between the Union and external partners, as well as the positive effect of free trade agreements with third parties. "We intend to provide all assistance to complete the work on similar agreements with Egypt, Iran and India, and to activate new negotiation tracks, including with Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates," Putin said.

"Expanding the geography of the EAEU’s international links and contacts with countries in the Asia-Pacific Region, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America would help boost exports of the union’s products and build new logistics chains. Our association may play the role of one of the key centers in the Greater Eurasian partnership," the Russian leader emphasized.

To succeed in these large-scale projects, it will be necessary to improve the pan-national institutions that have been created, primarily the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), according to the address. "With this in mind, we see a need to expand the commission’s competence and consider proposals on delegating more powers to the EEC. At the same time, all key decisions must be based on consensus, as before. This principle remains a core value, our common achievement, and a competitive advantage," Putin explained.

"For more than a thousand years, our people have lived together, exploring their geographical space collectively. Our shared understanding of historical destiny, centuries-old economic connections, the preservation and strengthening of the union’s peoples’ cultural and social affinity are keys to success in all of our endeavors," he added.

"We count on close cooperation and support from the EAEU member states in the practical implementation of the priorities of Russia’s presidency in 2023. We are convinced that together, we can achieve substantial results in developing integration-based cooperation for the benefit of our nations," the president concluded.