Russia joins 4 ex-Soviet nations in creating new alliance

[Hasbara Buster]

Russia joins 4 ex-Soviet nations in creating new Alliance

Russia has joined four ex-Soviet nations in creating a new alliance aimed at boosting economic and trade ties among the member states.

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have joined to form the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which is schedule to come to existence on January 1.

The new union will bring together some 170 million people and produce a combined economic output of USD 4.5 trillion, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Tuesday.

The EEU will help coordinate member states’ financial systems and regulate their industrial and agricultural policies as well as labor markets and transportation networks.

Other countries that are aiming to join the EEU include the former Soviet states of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Experts say the EEU marks another sign of the paradigm shift in the global economy and international relations.

Work on the treaty started in November 2011 at the first summit on the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, when the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan adopted a declaration on the Eurasian economic integration, which became a road map for the development of integration cooperation.

PressTV - Russia joins 4 ex-Soviet nations in creating new alliance

 

[Hindustani78]

TASS: Russia - Russian National Defense Control Center to work for all CSTO members — Putin

December 23, 20:52 UTC+3
This will increase controllability of national defense systems, troops, improve coordination, the Russian president said during a visit to the center in downtown Moscow together with CSTO leaders

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Russia’s National Defense Control Center will work for all countries members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the center, based in downtown Moscow’s Frunzenskaya Embankment, on Tuesday.

Putin arrived at the center on Tuesday after today’s CSTO and Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) summits together with his counterparts — the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

“Everything has been done exclusively with the use of Russian technologies, with very powerful computer support that has no analogs in the world today,” the Russian leader said. He said all CSTO countries will take part in the center’s work.

“I am convinced this will increase controllability of national defense systems, our troops, improve coordination,” the head of state said.

The Russian Federation’s National Defense Control Center officially went on combat duty on December 1, and it will start running at full capacity from 2015. All relevant data streams have been directed here, which makes it possible to know the situation at any level of forces — up to any unit of the Armed Forces or any facility of the Defense Ministry’s department in real time for any specific hour and minute.

The hardware and software system allows users to model crisis situations not only around the borders of the Russian Federation but also at any point of the world.

The center will draft proposals for decisions to be made by the country’s leadership at the so called H hour. Besides, it is connected with ministries and departments that have similar structures to promptly exchange information. If necessary, seats for other departments’ representatives are booked in the center.

The CSTO is a regional security group comprising six countries — Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia.

The EEU is a new integration association that will start operating on January 1, 2015. It comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia. Kyrgyzstan will join it later in 2015. Today’s meeting of the Russian, Belarusian and Kazakh presidents was the final one in the process to establish the EEU.

TASS: Russia - Military drills in Central Asia to be held in 2015 — CSTO secretary-general

December 22, 18:34 UTC+3
The exercises will involve rapid reaction force, rapid deployments forces, peacekeeping forces and special-purpose forces

MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Military exercises in Central Asia will be held in 2015 within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Secretary-General Nikolay Bordyuzha said on Monday.

The defense ministers approved a plan on conducting exercises. The exercises will involve rapid reaction force, rapid deployments forces, peacekeeping forces and special-purpose forces, Bordyuzha said.

A plan for countering extremism and terrorism was also approved, he said.

 

[idune]

Anyone seen Markus or ex US state dept person (or so claimed) here? It would interesting to know their thought or twist.

 

[Hindustani78]

Kyrgyzstan set for Moscow-led trade bloc - watch on - uatoday.tv
Dec. 29, 2014

Kyrgyzstan set to become fifth member of Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union

The Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union is set to welcome its newest member Kyrgyzstan. The former Soviet state signed up to the free trade bloc last week, and is set to participate fully in the grouping from May next year.

Almazbek Atambayev, Kyrgyzstan President: "Joining the Customs Union, believe me, is our chance to reorganise the economy, to reorganise the economy and to create a normal economy instead of the speculative economy, (to create) a normal economy, that will be based on the service, on the production, on the agricultural sector. And we are joining it on a very good integration terms."

However, the collapse of the Russian ruble has spoiled preparations for the trading bloc's launch. Belarus has introduced measures to protect its flagging economy, while Kyrgyzstanis fear economic 'troubles' could get even worse.

Tursun Cholponbayev, Bishkek resident: "If it's God's will, 2015 - the year of the goat - will be a good year. Now it is hard indeed, our economy in particular is in trouble, everything is expensive, and we are afraid that when we join the Customs Union, everything will be even more expensive. But still, I think, it is up to God to decide where to and how our authorities will lead us."

The free trade bloc also consists of Armenia and Kazakhstan, with Tajikistan in negotiations to join. However, Kyrgyzstan is relatively poor compared to many of the group - average salaries are just USD 1,000 per year, less than one-tenth of incomes in Kazakhstan.

 

[Hindustani78]

Armenia Joins Russia-Led Eurasian Economic Union | Business | The Moscow Times
Jan. 02 2015

Armenia officially joined the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on Friday, banding together with Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus in a Moscow-led project meant to counterbalance the European Union.

As part of a deal signed last October, Armenia will have limited representation in the organization until the end of 2015. Three Armenian members will share one vote in the union's governing body, the Eurasian Economic Commission, TASS news agency reported Friday.

Kyrgyzstan is also set to join the union on May 1.

Armenia's entry into the EEU means it will have to gradually transition to a unified tariff system with the union's other members, with 2022 set as the deadline for the full transition, TASS reported.

The country will have to negotiate with the World Trade Organization, of which it is a member, on its changing obligations in light of its new membership with the economic bloc of former Soviet republics.

The Armenian government had been set to clinch a free-trade deal with the EU until, following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in 2013 abruptly decided to switch to the Russian-led Customs Union, a precursor to the EEU.

Trade economist Alexander Knobel told The Moscow Times previously that Armenia turned away from European integration after Russia offered it the budget price of $170 to $180 per 1,000 cubic meters on its all-important natural gas imports.

The Armenian economy is heavily dependent on Russia, the country's largest foreign investor and trade partner as well as the source of vital remittances sent home to Armenia by migrant workers.

Armenia has also cultivated a close political relationship with Russia in order to secure itself against neighbors Turkey and Azerbaijan. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been entangled in a territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region and surrounding districts for decades, with both Turkey and Azerbaijan erecting economic blockades against Armenia in response to its occupation of the area.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Too bad there is no Ukraine.

 

[Hindustani78]

Too bad there is no Ukraine.

Ukraine is moving towards EU

 

[Hindustani78]

TASS: Russia - Russia to secure defense capability in new circumstances — defense minister

January 30, 13:45 UTC+3
"The task set by the head of state to prevent military domination over Russia will surely be fulfilled," Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russia is reinforcing its military forces in all strategic directions due to the military and political situation, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the Defense Ministry’s board meeting on Friday.

Citing commander-in-chief and head of state Vladimir Putin's address to the nation in December, Shoigu noted that Russia did not plan to engage in a costly arms race but would secure defense capability in what was a markedly new environment.

"The task set by the head of state to prevent military domination over Russia will surely be fulfilled," the minister promised.

"To these ends, main effort should be focused on a higher quality of strategic nuclear forces, on reinforcing the military staff and capabilities of the army and the fleet, and on forming Aerospace Forces, a new arm of military force," Shoigu said. "Figures indicating military forces’ equipping with modern weapons and hardware were specified, the pace of building military townships and military facilities was adjusted," he noted.

"For this, the state armament program is planned to implement fully and attain parameters set for modern weapons and military hardware by from 70% to 100% by 2020," he added. For this purpose some measures will be taken "to finalise quicker priority design works and give up research on trends which ceased to be topical," the minister said.

For his part, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said at the ministry’s board meeting that Russia would give a response with its army and navy to be equipped by new weapons capable to ward off missile defense potential in retaliation to a bid to expand the US missile defense system which breaches the treaties on shorter-and medium-range missiles.

The leadership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) assembling Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also announced in the Russian capital Friday about plans to build up organization’s military potential. An assault against a CSTO state is taken as an act of aggression against all signatory nations. Weapons worth $650 million were purchased at "preferential prices", CSTO General-Secretary Nikolai Bordyuzha told media. The CSTO states have increased tenfold a package of orders placed within military-technical partnership for the last eight years.

 

[PeaceGen]

Russia joins 4 ex-Soviet nations in creating new Alliance

Russia has joined four ex-Soviet nations in creating a new alliance aimed at boosting economic and trade ties among the member states.

Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have joined to form the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which is schedule to come to existence on January 1.

The new union will bring together some 170 million people and produce a combined economic output of USD 4.5 trillion, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Tuesday.

The EEU will help coordinate member states’ financial systems and regulate their industrial and agricultural policies as well as labor markets and transportation networks.

Other countries that are aiming to join the EEU include the former Soviet states of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Experts say the EEU marks another sign of the paradigm shift in the global economy and international relations.

Work on the treaty started in November 2011 at the first summit on the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, when the presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan adopted a declaration on the Eurasian economic integration, which became a road map for the development of integration cooperation.

PressTV - Russia joins 4 ex-Soviet nations in creating new alliance

Very good.

I believe Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, AND Ukraine need to be handed back to Russia by the US and the EU simply telling these countries they're not welcome in the EU and NATO.
Yanks, since you're the ones with the most clout in this, you know we got eastern-germany and Poland in the EU and NATO already. That's expansion eastward FAR ENOUGH folks. AND you have a responsibility to use anything east of the line from the western-northern border of Poland straight down to the middetereanan sea below, never as a staging ground against anything that "the Russians have" (meaning : no nato missile defence shield there at all folks, and no troop/equipment concentrations either), with as only exception ofcourse : significant wardrum rumbling against NATO/EU in Moscow AND unreasonable EEU military mobilization on the EEU's western borders.

STOP PLAYING WORLD POLITICS LIKE GREEDY ARROGANT 4 YEAR OLDS.

 

[vostok]

Too bad there is no Ukraine.

Ukraine will be there. At least, the most important territories that once were part of Ukraine.

 

[mike2000]

Lool Russia and its new allied bloc' combined with a combined GDP less than half Japan's GDP, what are they trying to prove? This bloc is meaningless to be honest, apart from the CSTO , there's nothing much to make Europe and U.S worried. An economic/military bloc composed of vibrant big economies like China, Japan or even India will make us worried, but a declining economic state based on oil and gas won't be much of a worry, since it won't change the current world/financisl/economic order one bit.

Moreover, I was stunned to see Russia is reducing the budget if almost all its ministries/departments except defence/military. When it shiuld be doing the opposite. Hopefully we won't witnessed another soviet union (or what us left if it) collapse scenario 2.0 soon.

Putin's defence fixation deepens Russian budget problems

 

[Hindustani78]

CSTO states to produce military hardware to replace imports from Ukraine | Society | Headlines

30 January 2015 13:34

MOSCOW, 30 January (BelTA) – The CSTO member states will start producing the military hardware and equipment that used to be purchased from Ukraine, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said at a press conference in Moscow on 30 January, BelTA has learned.

According to Nikolai Bordyuzha, this kind of hardware can be manufactured in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

He reminded that amendments to the provision on the Interstate Commission for Military and Economic Cooperation were introduced at the December summit of the CSTO. Now the commission includes the vice premiers supervising the defense industries. “I think that the commission will focus on import substitution,” Nikolai Bordyuzha said.

 

[PeaceGen]

TASS: Russia - Russia to secure defense capability in new circumstances — defense minister

January 30, 13:45 UTC+3
"The task set by the head of state to prevent military domination over Russia will surely be fulfilled," Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russia is reinforcing its military forces in all strategic directions due to the military and political situation, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at the Defense Ministry’s board meeting on Friday.

Citing commander-in-chief and head of state Vladimir Putin's address to the nation in December, Shoigu noted that Russia did not plan to engage in a costly arms race but would secure defense capability in what was a markedly new environment.

"The task set by the head of state to prevent military domination over Russia will surely be fulfilled," the minister promised.

"To these ends, main effort should be focused on a higher quality of strategic nuclear forces, on reinforcing the military staff and capabilities of the army and the fleet, and on forming Aerospace Forces, a new arm of military force," Shoigu said. "Figures indicating military forces’ equipping with modern weapons and hardware were specified, the pace of building military townships and military facilities was adjusted," he noted.

"For this, the state armament program is planned to implement fully and attain parameters set for modern weapons and military hardware by from 70% to 100% by 2020," he added. For this purpose some measures will be taken "to finalise quicker priority design works and give up research on trends which ceased to be topical," the minister said.

For his part, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said at the ministry’s board meeting that Russia would give a response with its army and navy to be equipped by new weapons capable to ward off missile defense potential in retaliation to a bid to expand the US missile defense system which breaches the treaties on shorter-and medium-range missiles.

The leadership of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) assembling Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also announced in the Russian capital Friday about plans to build up organization’s military potential. An assault against a CSTO state is taken as an act of aggression against all signatory nations. Weapons worth $650 million were purchased at "preferential prices", CSTO General-Secretary Nikolai Bordyuzha told media. The CSTO states have increased tenfold a package of orders placed within military-technical partnership for the last eight years.

A straight copy of the NATO rule. Excellent.

 

[Hindustani78]

Medvedev: EEU plans to sign over 100 documents in 2015 | Politics | Headlines
Medvedev: EEU plans to sign over 100 documents in 2015

MOSCOW, 6 February (BelTA) – The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is expected to sign over 100 documents in 2015, Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev said at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Moscow's Gorki on 6 February, BelTA has learned.

According to Dmitry Medvedev, the documents will include the EEU Customs Code, the common oil and gas market development concept, the order of concluding international agreements between the EEU and third countries. There are also plans to remove the existing barriers in mutual trade.

The Russian PM stated that the Eurasian Economic Union went operational in the complicated conditions. “We had hardly overcome the consequences of the 2008 crisis when we faced the unprecedented external pressure and saw our oil prices dropped. It could not but affect our partners,” Dmitry Medvedev said. In his words, the current situation does not have simple and fast solutions and the EEU economies will have to adapt to the new conditions within the next year or two.

“Our integration priorities, however, remain unchanged,” Dmitry Medvedev said. He also wished Belarus a successful chairmanship in the Eurasian Economic Union in 2015.

 

[Echo_419]

Ukraine will be there. At least, the most important territories that once were part of Ukraine.

All the best for that Comrade