The Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) approved the draft agreement on the voluntary harmonization of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) by the Commission of Proceedings. The document was sent to the EEC states for carrying out the internal procedures necessary for signing it.

According to the draft in 2017, the EEU countries will have the opportunity to voluntarily agree with the Commission on specific subsidies. Also, the states of the Union will be able to contact the EEC when it is necessary to conduct proceedings on the provision of industrial subsidies.

When an appeal is received from the EEC state to agree on a specific subsidy, the EEC will conduct its analysis for compliance with the admissibility or inadmissibility criteria defined in the Agreement. The final decision on the results of the analysis will be taken by the EEC Collegium.

Through the use of the harmonization mechanism, the requesting State to the EEC will be insured against the risk of the subsequent introduction of a compensatory measure against the recipient of an EEC-approved grant from any of the States of the Union.

In addition, the countries of the association have the right to apply to the EEC to initiate proceedings in respect of the grant of industrial subsidies in the presence of grounds that indicate the risks of causing damage to it. Such a rule will become an alternative mechanism, as countries retain the opportunity to initiate an investigation at the national level in accordance with the EEU Treaty.

The use of such a mechanism as the proceedings of the Commission, where the ECE acts as a third, disinterested party, will provide an independent, objective analysis of the subsidy for the presence or absence of damage, or the threat of its imposition resulting from the provision of a specific subsidy.

Based on the results of the proceedings, the Commission accepts decisions binding on the EEU states.

The mechanisms for harmonization and trial, which are contained in the draft agreement, ensure transparency of the Commission's actions and are open to all union states. The possibility of consultations among States in the course of the procedures will provide a wider range of the information under consideration and make a decision on the basis of an integrated and comprehensive analysis.

All provisions of the draft Agreement are aimed at the formation of a conscientious competitive environment in the common market of the Union.