27 November 2009
Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan agree on Customs Union creation terms
MINSK, 27 November (BelTA) - Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan have come to terms regarding the creation of the Customs Union, BelTA has learned. The supreme body of the Customs Union has just considered and approved several fundamental strategic decisions that determine prospects of the Customs Union development, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told a private session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council after a meeting of the presidents of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan. “During complicated but profound talks we have come up with a compromise and balanced agreement, which implementation can launch deep economic integration with elements of the single economic space,” said Alexander Lukashenko. He also added: “We have agreed that in H1 2010 we will deal with all the problems and will be able to create the single customs space. We have also agreed that we will meet in Almaty in mid-December and will address issues relating to the creation of the single economic space, will define the time of its creation. We have agreed that as from 1 July 2010 we will approach the single customs territory”. “I am convinced that if these mechanisms prove their real effectiveness, their efficiency, the Customs Union will attract our other partners in the community,” stressed the Belarus President.БЕЛТА