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Member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) convened in Astana for a two-day summit, advancing toward deeper economic integration via digitization and artificial intelligence. The high-level discussions focused on establishing a unified digital environment to create a seamless market across the bloc’s shared economic zone, which spans over 20 million square kilometers.
Delegates examined trade, collaborative initiatives, and the creation of shared digital tools and AI systems aimed at enhancing cooperation and minimizing fragmentation within the union. In the prior year, internal trade within the bloc more than doubled, while commerce with external nations increased by 72%. Currently, roughly 90% of transactions are carried out in national currencies, and member states are exploring a unified transit system.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev indicated that trade turnover among EAEU members could rise by approximately 6% this year, surpassing EUR85 billion, compared to EUR80 billion in the previous year. He also projected GDP growth across EAEU countries at about 2.5% for the 2026-2027 timeframe.
Now in its twelfth year, the EAEU operates as a single integrated market and free trade zone for its five members: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. The bloc has existing agreements with nations such as Serbia, Vietnam, the UAE, Mongolia, and Indonesia. China remains the EAEU’s primary partner, representing roughly one-third of its external trade.
Tokayev noted that during Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the EAEU, the country has advocated for the practical application of AI to support the bloc’s four freedoms, with the goal of boosting member states’ competitiveness. Member states also suggested establishing common guidelines for responsible AI use, along with shared computing resources and joint model development.
Russia proposed a high-level AI conference next year to enhance collaboration on domestic AI models and to integrate its IT and energy infrastructure, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pilot projects are already being trialed at the EAEU level.
In Kazakhstan, various AI-powered digital assistants have been created by government bodies and startups to assist citizens in navigating legal and regulatory frameworks. Deputy Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Dmitry Mun explained that these AI legal assistants aim to streamline legislation, cut bureaucracy, and improve access to regulatory systems for both citizens and businesses. Some of these tools are currently being tested to optimize processes across member states.
Officials report that about 85% of goods moving from China to Europe pass through the Middle Corridor. AI is being increasingly utilized alongside the TDN and the Digital Transport Corridor along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. These initiatives are anticipated to boost non-commodity exports by roughly 30% over the next two years.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev stated that the country intends to utilize major transport routes, including the Middle Corridor and the North-South Corridor, to develop a fully integrated logistics ecosystem. The objective, he said, is to establish Kazakhstan as a key regional hub where transport routes intersect and large export flows are aggregated.
The aim is to achieve a fully operational system by 2030, with cargo volumes reaching approximately 10 million tonnes. Work is already progressing, including railway upgrades and new infrastructure projects.
The summit followed Putin’s state visit to Kazakhstan, during which the two nations signed seven key pillars of bilateral cooperation, along with a broader set of agreements covering energy, transport, finance, education, and industrial development. Russia remains Kazakhstan’s largest investor, with nearly EUR25 billion already committed and plans to increase this amount. It is also constructing Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant, valued at around EUR14 billion.
Putin stated that the plant would supply about 20% of Kazakhstan’s electricity consumption, adding that financing terms for such projects align with international standards. He remarked that the project bolsters Russian industrial capacity through equipment orders and long-term maintenance contracts, while also enhancing bilateral cooperation in uranium and nuclear technology.
For Kazakhstan, officials view the project as both an energy security measure and a step toward transitioning from raw-material exports to high-value technological collaboration.
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