Tajikistan’s potential membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is being studied by an interagency working group, Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Trade Zavki Zavkizoda said, according to the Asiaplus Telegram channel.
“The working group is conducting a comprehensive analysis, taking into account the global economic situation, geopolitical conditions, and the experience of countries similar to the union’s members, and will present its conclusions,” the minister was quoted as saying. He added that no conclusions have been issued yet.
Zavkizoda previously noted in 2021 that “the EAEU is a young union, and any country carefully weighs the pros and cons before joining.”
Russia, a founding and major member of the EAEU, has repeatedly expressed interest in Tajikistan joining the bloc. Tajik authorities have not rejected the idea but have so far provided only cautious responses.
The EAEU, operational since January 1, 2015, includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan (since August 12, 2015). The union guarantees free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor, along with coordinated economic policies. However, some member states have raised concerns over unequal competition conditions within the union’s internal market.
Meanwhile, Tajik labor migrants work in several EAEU countries, including Kyrgyzstan. In 2024, their number in Russia reached 6 million. However, following the terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City in spring 2024, involving Tajik nationals, the number of labor migrants decreased significantly due to tighter security measures in Russia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 13, 2025