Russian Foreign Ministry explains concept of the Greater Eurasian Partnership

The Greater Eurasian Partnership (GEP) is not just a concept or an idea, it is a system of mutually beneficial international economic ties being formed with the active participation of the Russian Federation and its closest partners. This was stated by Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department of Economic Co-operation of the Russian Foreign Ministry, in an interview with Eurasia Today, a partner of TV BRICS.

He said that currently the concept of this initiative has already been developed, and it is being coordinated by the state authorities. According to him, in the coming months it may be presented on international platforms, as well as within the framework of bilateral contacts with partners.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department added that within the GEP, the principle of pairing with neighbouring states plays an important role. At the same time, the partnership is based on the absence of competition.

In addition, Birichevsky said that the task of the GEP is to deepen co-operation, taking into account the interests of the peoples of all the participants of the initiative. To this end, it is planned to develop co-operation in the spheres of tourism, energy, transport, education, ecology, etc.

"It is very important not to perceive this work as some kind of vertical, it is primarily horizontal ties, and not so much through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but through specialised agencies," he explained.

Photo: TV BRICS