Prime Minister Vladimir Putin discussed on Friday by telephone with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Masimov integration processes within the Customs Union, the press service of the Government of Russia.
"During the talks Vladimir Putin and K. Massimov discussed topical issues of trade and economic relations between Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as exchanged views on the integration processes within the Customs Union," - said in a statement.
Earlier, the head of the Russian Audit Chamber Sergei Stepashin said that the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan are very serious problems through customs, taxation and border authorities. A Premier of Kazakhstan recognized the imperfection of the framework of the customs code of the Customs Union, which was developed by Kazakhstan, and offered it to finalize.
The allocation of customs duties between member countries of the Customs Union - one of the most difficult. Russia "as the most receptive market, counting on most of the proceeds - up to 90% of the levied import duties. With regard to export duties, then Kazakhstan and Belarus are few, and Russia exports more than 300 tariff lines on which export duties are levied. The mechanism of the distribution of customs fees must be approved before July 1, 2010.
Treaty establishing a single customs territory and the establishment of a Customs Union, and an action plan for its establishment were taken Oct. 6, 2007 in Dushanbe, the heads of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan. To ensure the conditions of functioning and development alliance was created a supranational governing permanent body - the Commission of the Customs Union.
Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan on the territory inhabited by approximately 180 million people, have nearly 83% of the economic potential of the former USSR, their combined economy could rise significantly by removing tariff barriers.
Customs union - a single customs territory, within which the mutual trade is a single customs tariff shall not apply customs duties and economic constraints, except for special protective, antidumping and countervailing measures. In contrast to the free trade zone in the Customs Union provides for a unified customs tariff and commercial policy towards countries outside the Union. In this regard, States parties to the Customs Union should harmonize its trade relations with third countries.
At present, Russia has about 120 core trade agreements with other countries, Kazakhstan - 50, in Belarus - 40.
Finally the Customs Union will be launched from July 1, 2010 with the entry into force of its Customs Code.
February 13, 2010
