The First Connecting Eurasia Dialogue – From the Atlantic to the Pacific

Promising areas of cooperation between Eurasian Community countries discussed in Brussels

The First Connecting Eurasia Dialogue – From the Atlantic to the Pacific, took place in Brussels on 15 March. It brought together authoritative international experts, heads of government departments, heads of transnational corporations, representatives of relevant associations, academics, and leading public figures from Italy, France, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, and other countries.

The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the Conoscere Eurasia Association in collaboration with the Association of European Businesses and the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. The Dialogue was the first discussion platform of its kind in Belgium in which issues of cooperation in the Eurasian space were discussed.

The event in Brussels was held as part of a programme to promote the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona. The programme for preparing Russia’s key discussion platform traditionally includes events that are united by the common theme ‘From the Atlantic to the Pacific’.

“In the current challenging geopolitical conditions, it is important to find new areas of growth and joint solutions to pressing problems, and to develop new business projects. The interaction between the countries of the Eurasian community today demonstrates a model of international relations which gives results. The dialogue in Brussels and the topics that were raised during the discussions on this platform make it possible to judge the success and correctness of the policy of support and mutually beneficial cooperation. I am confident that regularly holding such conferences will further strengthen this union of states,” said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation.

Guests from 20 countries took part in the Dialogue sessions, including Russia, Germany, France, Greece, Finland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, Italy, Belgium, and Lithuania.

The speakers for the business programme were: Alexander Pankin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Romano Prodi, President of the Foundation for Worldwide Cooperation, President of the European Commission (1999–2004) and Italian Prime Minister (1996–1998, 2006–2008); Tatyana Valovaya, Member of the Board (Minister) for Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission; Vladimir Chizhov, permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the European Union; Sodiq Safoyev, First Deputy Chairperson, Senate of Uzbekistan; Grigory Rapota, State Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus; Aigul Kuspan, Head of the Representative Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and Philippe Pégorier, President, Alstom Russia, Member of the Board, Association of European Businesses.

Summing up the results of the Dialogue, Alexander Stuglev, Chairman and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, highlighted the following: “In Brussels, we achieved what we had intended: to continue the lively discussion that traditionally arises at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum during the sessions on Eurasian cooperation. Informal communication between representatives of the countries of Greater Eurasia enables us to find areas of common interest and ideas that may sometimes be plain to see, but which do not come into fruition. I am convinced that the dialogue and the synergy that took place here in Brussels will continue in St. Petersburg and, of course, at the annual Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona in October 2019.”

During the First Connecting Eurasia Dialogue – From the Atlantic to the Pacific, the theme of doing business was repeatedly raised, and specific issues were discussed, including technical and regulatory issues relating to interaction in the Eurasian space between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union. “The discussion was interesting and productive. I hope that the problems and issues that we discussed today will give impetus to new projects and, more importantly, to those specific actions and steps that European and Asian businesses are very much waiting for,” concluded Antonio Fallico, President of the Conoscere Eurasia Association and chairman of Banca Intesa.

The theme of cooperation within the Eurasian community will be raised again at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held on 6–8 June, as well as at the Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona, Italy, organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the Conoscere Eurasia Association. This year’s event will take place on 24–25 October.

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Session 1: Many Strategies, One Goal: Moving Europe and Asia Closer Together.

Session 2: Sustainable Connectivity and Dialogue on Standards.

Session 3: Connecting Eurasia in Practice.

Closing remarks.