Russia to Help Kyrgyzstan Join Customs Union – Medvedev

GORKI (Moscow Region), April 23 (RIA Novosti) – Russia is ready to help Kyrgyzstan join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan and its common economic space, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.

“We support the resolve of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to join the Customs Union and, of course, the common economic space. This will bring considerable benefit to the republic’s economy, particular enterprises and I hope [Kyrgyz] citizens,” Medvedev said after talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart Zhantoro Satybaldiyev.

A special working group on Kyrgyzstan’s accession has been set up and this group will have to carry out a “considerable amount” of work and prepare 64 agreements, the Russian premier said.

“I hope that with our support and our help, our Kyrgyz partners will be able to cover this distance,” Medvedev said.

Since January 1, 2012, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia have been part of the Customs Union, which allows for unrestricted movement of capital, goods and services across the three states’ national borders.

Russia sees the grouping as a stepping stone to a wide-ranging Eurasian Economic Union, and has even touted membership to Moldova and Ukraine, though Kiev has long harbored ambitions of moving closer to the EU.