Those who are not with us are on the sidelines.

Those who are not with us are on the sidelines.

Issyk-Kul has once again become a platform for discussing the future of Eurasian integration. On August 6, the 47th meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council began in Cholpon-Ata. The event is taking place in a complex political environment, particularly amid tense relations between Russia and Armenia caused by trade restrictions and discussions about Yerevan's role in the EAEU.

The meeting is being held in a closed format, without the participation of observer countries or the press (except for the opening session). Participants include Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin, Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev, and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The agenda includes issues related to the further development of the EAEU common market. The heads of government plan to discuss improving customs regulation and administration, developing e-commerce, ensuring food security, digitalizing rail freight transportation, and establishing a common financial market. An agreement on e-commerce within the union is expected to be signed, as well as documents regulating the admission of brokers and dealers to exchange trading on the platforms of the member states.

One of the most anticipated participants at the meeting was Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who arrived in Cholpon-Ata on a two-day working visit following the formation of the republic's new government. His arrival comes amid persistent issues in Russian-Armenian economic relations. In late July, Pashinyan announced Armenia's intention to continue discussions with Russia regarding export restrictions on Armenian products.

He previously raised this issue in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that Yerevan believes the restrictions contradict the legal framework of Russian-Armenian relations and the provisions of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Despite existing disagreements, Armenia's participation in the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council confirms the continued dialogue within the union. The EAEU platform remains a key mechanism for discussing both integration projects and economic issues arising between states.

The work of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will continue on August 7. The heads of government will review final documents on all agenda items and determine further directions for developing integration within the Eurasian Economic Union.

Alongside the Intergovernmental Council meeting, the VIII Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum and the XII Kyrgyz-Russian Interregional Conference are being held in the resort village of Bosteri. The main theme of the forum is the development of Russian-Kyrgyz economic cooperation until 2030.

The events are attended by over 1,300 representatives of government agencies, development institutions, businesses, financial organizations, and the expert community of the two countries. Following the forum, it is planned to sign more than 30 agreements in industry, energy, the digital economy, the financial sector, and interregional cooperation.

The business program includes a plenary session, "Strategic Partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Russia: Priorities to 2030," as well as thematic sessions on energy, transport, logistics, the digital economy, agro-industrial complex, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurship.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the forum participants. In his video address, he noted that the joint efforts of governments, businesses, and regions have created a solid economic foundation for Russian-Kyrgyz cooperation. "It is gratifying that the coordinated efforts of the governments and agencies of Russia and Kyrgyzstan, businesses, and regional authorities have made it possible to build a solid economic foundation for bilateral cooperation," the Russian head of state emphasized.

According to the president, mutual trade continues to grow steadily. By the end of 2025, trade turnover between Russia and Kyrgyzstan increased by 26% and exceeded $5 billion. Vladimir Putin also expressed gratitude to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for his personal support of joint projects and his attention to the development of bilateral cooperation.

The forum places special emphasis on developing interregional ties. The exhibition area showcases investment projects and the industrial, export, and tourism potential of Kyrgyzstan and Russian regions. The exhibit showcases completed joint projects and new areas of cooperation.

Lyudmila Alexandrova