Kyrgyzstan’s decision on Customs Union membership hailed

          Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia hail Kyrgyzstan’s decision to join the Customs Union, Minister for Main Areas of Integration and Macroeconomics with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Tatyana Valovaya said as she met with Premier of Kyrgyzstan Zhantoro Satybaldiyev in Bishkek. “Together our countries will have an opportunity to become stronger and richer. Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the Customs Union will expand the market for foreign direct investment and will promote trade growth. Cancellation of customs control and customs processing fees at the internal borders of the Customs Union as well as the freedom of transit will cut down significantly on expenses of the participants in foreign trade activities and create favorable conditions for the operation of wholesale markets of the Kyrgyz Republic. A great advantage for Kyrgyz producers will bring the removal of inner sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary control points” Tatyana Valovaya stressed. In April 2011 President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev made an official statement on the country’s readiness to launch the process of obtaining membership in the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space.