27 June 2006
Belarus wants Customs Union and WTO entrance separate

Belarus suggested keeping the formation of the Customs Union and accession to the World Trade Organisation apart, Belarus vice premier Andrei Kobyakov told the press while summing up results of the EurAsEC Interstate Council sitting, which took place in Minsk on June 23.

For Belarus creating the Customs Union is a priority, he stressed. "It doesn't decrease the rate of progress towards EurAsEC member-states' accession to the World Trade Organisation. Every country should join the WTO using principles each country deems necessary and has agreed with partners in the future Customs Union".

According to the Belarusian side, after the WTO accession the creation of the Customs Union can be prolonged for an indefinite period of time due to EurAsEC's economic competitors not willing to face a strong integration bloc.

Presidents of the EurAsEC member-states confirmed the point of view at the Interstate Council sitting in Minsk on June 23. They also ordered to create the legislation base of the Customs Union by late 2006.

According to Andrei Kobyakov, "It does not mean the Customs Union will appear by the end of 2006, only the legislation base may". After that a certain period of time will be necessary to adopt the signed agreements with national laws. The agreements will make the core of the Customs Union legislation base. This period can be quite lengthy, stressed Andrei Kobyakov. However, it should be done "to set up the Customs Union in principle," he noted. //Pravo.By