The 5th session of the Inter-Governmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which unites Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, is due to start in Yerevan.
The prime ministers of the five countries are expected to consider the concept of a possible common market of crude oil and oil products, as well as the development of cooperation of the EEU and China.
Reportedly, the session will focus on coordination of the efforts in the field of transport and energy. "The heads of government are keen to discuss a draft concept of common market of crude oil," a source in the Russian Cabinet told TASS. The agenda of the session in Yerevan will comprise issues related to the external ties of the EEU, particularly, directives for conducting negotiations for an agreement of trade and economic cooperation of the EEU and China.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Yerevan late in the evening on May 19 to attend the regular session of the Inter-Governmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union. Prime Minister of Belarus Andrey Kobyakov, Head of the Cabinet of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov and Government of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov are also in Yerevan. President Serzh Sargsyan will receive the guests prior to the session.
To recall, the summit of Eurasian Economic Commission in Yerevan scheduled for April 7-8 was canceled by Kazakhstan's urging amid fears that holding of it will be considered as one-sided assistance to one of the sides to the Karabakh conflict during its escalation. Meeting of EEC Prime Ministers took place in Moscow on April 13, during which the prime ministers decided to organize the next session in Yerevan on May 20.