Russia can offer advantageous models of interregional economic cooperation to friendly and neutral countries, stated Aleksey Shevtsov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council (Sovbez). Speaking during the discussion titled “Interregional Cooperation in Eurasia” at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), Shevtsov noted that significant potential for such partnership exists with Iran, Mongolia, North Korea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
“Russia, of course, can offer advantageous models of interregional cooperation, and we are doing so with states such as China, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, as well as with all friendly and neutral countries. We possess significant potential for cooperation with Iran, Mongolia, North Korea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and many other nations. In my view, the development of interregional ties should evolve from simple trade and commodity exchange toward the creation of joint production chains,” the Interfax news agency quoted the official as saying.
According to Shevtsov, this cooperation complements “what our economic operators already possess.” Furthermore, the deputy head of the Security Council emphasized that interregional interaction also plays a vital role in preserving historical memory and traditions. In this context, he singled out Azerbaijan, with which “active cooperation is being implemented.” With Baku, “73 Russian regions are developing business and humanitarian ties.” “More than 1,000 trucks cross the border between Azerbaijan and Russia in Dagestan every day,” Shevtsov added.