Tajikistan Denies EAEU Membership Plans Ahead of Putin’s Visit to Dushanbe

Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed rumors that the country is preparing to apply for membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), amid growing speculation in Russian media and social networks ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to Dushanbe.

Sharaf Rahimi, head of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Department at Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry, clarified during a briefing on preparation for the upcoming CIS summit that joining the EAEU is not on the agenda, The Caspian Post informs via Tajik media.

“This issue is not part of the meeting programs, nor do we intend to discuss it. The forthcoming summits are focused on deepening cooperation and strengthening ties among CIS countries. The ‘Central Asia-Russia’ summit, meanwhile, aims at enhancing regional integration with Russia. These are distinct frameworks and should not be confused with the EAEU,” Rahimi stated.

Earlier this month, several Russian news outlets, including Nezavisimaya Gazeta, reported that Tajikistan might announce its intention to join the EAEU during the high-level meetings planned for October. Speculation intensified as Putin’s visit, scheduled for October 9-10, approached.

Despite the rumors, Tajik officials maintain that the issue is still under review. Zavqi Zavqizoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, noted that an interagency working group is currently analyzing the potential benefits and drawbacks of EAEU membership and will submit its findings to the government.

The possibility of Tajikistan joining the EAEU has sparked debate for years. Advocates emphasize advantages such as visa-free travel, access to a common market, protections for migrant workers, streamlined access to education and residence, and reduced customs tariffs. However, member states including Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have voiced frustrations over uneven implementation of these benefits.

In October, Dushanbe will host two significant international summits: the CIS heads of state summit and the “Central Asia-Russia” summit. Both gatherings are expected to focus on political cooperation, security, economic integration, and cultural ties, with key decisions anticipated on migration policies and crime prevention measures.