By Yuri Pinchuk
The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council gathered the heads of governments from Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine and talks focused on international integration issues within the Customs Union. In addition, its participants discussed the realisation of decisions made by heads of state as part of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting this May.
Kyrgyzstan, which announced its aim to join the Custom Union in October 2011, during the EurAsEC Inter-State Council session in St. Petersburg, proposed the establishment of a special development institute or foundation to render assistance to countries planning to become members of this international organisation.
Meanwhile, the Customs Union is currently studying Armenia’s application. Its President, Serzh Sargsyan, voiced his country’s intention to join after meeting Russian President, Vladimir Putin, in early September.
During his visit to Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Myasnikovich held negotiations with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykola Azarov. After their talks, the latter stated that Ukraine could sign up to the Customs Union’s 70 agreements. Mr. Azarov also noted that the Word Trade Organisation’s rules enable Russia and Ukraine to solve trading problems, even after Ukraine’s signing of an agreement on its associated membership within the EU.
In Astana, Mr. Myasnikovich discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral co-operation with Kazakhstani PM, Serik Akhmetov, whilst also taking part in the meeting of Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev with the Single Economic Space’s heads of government. The participants of the session focused on issues of customs and tariff regulation, and production utilisation in the Customs Union.
