OREANDA-NEWS. October 27, 2009. Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia are negotiating their entry into the World Trade Organization as a single delegation, EurAsEC Secretary General Tair Mansurov told media after meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 26 October.

He remarked that under predetermined terms each country will carry out negotiations with the WTO but the three countries will join the organization simultaneously.

According to Tair Mansurov, there are two scenarios of joining the World Trade Organization. The heads of government of the three countries suggested joining the WTO as a single customs territory on 9 June. The WTO allows it although it has never been done. After some concerns were expressed the presidents of the three countries suggested joining the WTO as independent nations, however, the three entries have to be accomplished at the same time if possible and, maybe, using mutually agreed terms. “Any of the scenarios can be implemented. We have not deviated from the initial plan. We are creating the Customs Union, we are launching it as from 1 January, there is a single customs territory and a customs code,” said Tair Mansurov.

Speaking about the formation of the Customs Union, the EurAsEC Secretary General remarked it is the first step in the integration and a major success. The Belarus President believes that the common economic space will be a more advanced integration stage. It will bring about harmonization of tariffs, trade regulations and laws — the entire economic component of relations between the countries.

Alexander Lukashenko was satisfied with the accomplished work and requested to carry out all that has been agreed upon and that is on the agenda of the forthcoming session of the EurAsEC Interstate Council by 27 November.