The phase of joint research which precedes transiting to negotiations on free trade between the EAEU and Mongolia as well as concluding relevant agreement comes to an end. This was stated by Andrey Slepnev, Minister in charge of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, at the information and survey seminar for representatives of public authorities of Mongolia held on January 28.

"Our experts have already done some work and we have solid material for analysis", the Minister noted in his welcoming speech. "Today, based on this research we should think about those measures, specific steps and projects that will enable filling the real agenda of cooperation with brand new ideas and propelling this cooperation to a new qualitative level and new trade volumes”. 

Andrey Slepnev reported on high potential of the Eurasian Economic Union's market and possibilities in terms of supplies of Mongolian products to it. According to him, the common objective is to come up with solutions that will enable making market openness mutual and balanced as well as leading to specific results for the enterprises of two sides.

In this regard, the EEC Minister in charge of Trade expressed confidence that the seminar would enable the Mongolian partners to get acquainted with the EAEU functioning in more detail, gain insight into the decision-making system and discuss current issues. "In particular, this information will allow for a deeper analysis and identify the best opportunities for specific areas of cooperation", Andrey Slepnev concluded. 

In turn, Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, expressed interest in cooperation with the EAEU in such areas as agriculture, light and heavy industry, mining industry and transport. "I am convinced that our specialists will consider not only our achievements and successes, but also those issues that slow down the pace of our cooperation in an open and constructive way", she stressed. 

According to the Foreign Minister of Mongolia, international cooperation in the Eurasian direction is one of the main strategic priorities of the country and efforts will be intensified to coordinate with the dynamically developing Eurasian Economic Union.

The EEC representatives informed their Mongolian colleagues on the single market functioning and four "freedoms" in the EAEU, on implementing the common trade policy, issues of technical as well as sanitary, phytosanitary and veterinary regulation.

Specific cases of non-tariff restrictions and technical barriers were analyzed and possible ways to resolve them were specified. The seminar attendees discussed the possibilities of extending cooperation in business and considered promising joint projects and programs. The meeting was held in an interactive format: answers were given to multifaceted questions received from the Mongolian side.

On the EEC side, the event was attended by Goar Barseghyan, Director of Integration Development Department, Natalia Zhukova, Director of the Department for Sanitary, Phytosanitary and Veterinary Measures, Timur Nurashev, Director of Technical Regulation and Accreditation Department as well as other officials and specialists.

The discussion was moderated by Igor Nazaruk, Director of Trade Policy Department, on the EEC side, and Ganbold Ulziysaikhan, Director of the Department for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Mongolian side.