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