Accessibility links

Breaking News

CIS Customs Union Says Kyrgyzstan Can Join


Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have announced that they are prepared to admit a fourth member to their CIS Customs Union -- Kyrgyzstan.

Acting Kyrgyz Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov said a decision had been made to admit Kyrgyzstan at a meeting of the prime ministers from the Eurasian Economic Community on October 19.

A working group for Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Customs Union will soon be set up.

No date for formal entry was announced.

Kyrgyz officials have repeatedly spoken of the need to join the Customs Union but some have expressed doubts that the country would be ready by 2012.

Tajikistan has also expressed interest in joining the Customs Union.

compiled from agency reports

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG