Dmitery Medvedev: We Need to Coordinate Our Actions

22.12.2008 11:49

On Friday, Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kirgizia and Armenia had an informal meeting in Borovoye initiated by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The heads of state discussed a number of important issues, including development prospects for the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, further integration processes and joint action to overcome the effects of the global financial crisis.

The Russian Present said: “Our task is therefore to activate this organization’s work (the Collective Security Treaty Organization) and make it more effective. We discussed this in Moscow, and now too we will look at what we can perhaps do in the nearest future.”

The heads of state paid special attention to the global economic crisis. Dmitry Medvedev proposed to the participants to coordinate their positions and anti-crisis measures. In so doing he pointed out that Russia would be able to represent collective interests of all partners in the next G-20 meeting in London next April.

"The economic crisis and global financial crisis affect all countries’ economies, some more so and some less so, but the economies of the countries represented here today are so closely linked that changes in one automatically have an impact on the others, whether we want this or not. We all therefore need to coordinate our actions”, emphasized Dmitry Medvedev.

"Only through collective action can we respond to this crisis, and so I think this is of vital importance”, said the President of Russia.

Besides, the agenda also included integration items. “We have taken some steps forward within the EuAsEC [Eurasian Economic Community], and I think we could look now at what our steps will be. Integration is no less relevant at this time of serious financial difficulties in the world, and I am sure that if we can continue working together, moving steadily, pursuing concrete objectives and carrying out the projects we have outlined, we will be able to respond adequately to the crisis”, said the head of the Russian state.

Dmitry Medvedev also discussed the integration processes at his bilateral meeting with President of Kazakhstan Nursltan Nazabayev. Medvedev and Nazarbayev discussed establishment of the Customs Union. Let us note that as of today all parties (Russia, Kazakhstan and Byelorussia) approved 20 documents of the Union. It is expected that the Union will become effective in spring.