Head of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev in favor of joining the Customs Union from other countries during the formation of the Union.
This is stated in a joint statement signed yesterday during an informal meeting of CIS leaders in Almaty.
"We, the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation, declare the establishment of a Customs Union as part of our three states, which will be operational from January 1, 2010. This is a new, breakthrough stage of integration of our countries. Establishment of the Customs Union is dictated by the real economic needs, reflects the general global trend to strengthen the role and influence of regional cooperation. The main thing we want to achieve - high quality of life of our peoples, sustainable economic and social development of our countries, "- said in a statement.
The statement noted that the Customs Union will promote the growth of mutual trade, improving competitiveness of our products, open new prospects for investment.
"We walked for an agreement to balance the interests and interchanges on the most difficult issues. We have agreed to take the necessary steps to complete the formation of a single customs territory by July 1, 2010. We have helped understanding, based on historical ties and brotherly friendship between our peoples, "- the statement said.
"We expect that the formation of our alliance will promote the deepening of cooperation in the Eurasian Economic Community - the dynamic structure of economic integration in the post-Soviet space, and to foster mutually beneficial cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States. By creating a customs union, we support its further expansion, entry into it of our other partners as they become available and the formation of the Union ", - claimed the heads of state.
By creating a customs union, we support its further expansion, entry into it of our other partners as they become available and the formation of the Union
"When creating the Customs Union, we have carefully studied and applied by international experience. Open to interaction with other integration associations. We believe that the development patterns of integration and cooperation should be complementary to unite their peoples. We will seek ways to strengthen relations and closer ties with partners who share this approach, "- said in a statement.
Furthermore, the heads of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia reaffirm the desire of the three states for the early entry into the World Trade Organization.
"We are committed to further deepening of integration processes in the EurAsEC, and as the next target reaffirm our commitment to building no later than January 1, 2012 the Common Economic Space of Belarus, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation", - said in a statement.
"We are confident that further integration interaction will contribute to the welfare of our countries and peoples, and contribute to the sustainable development of world economy as a whole", - claimed the heads of state.
December 20, 2009
