Eurasian Economic Committee to make key economic decisions for Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia

SCOW. December 20. KAZINFORM The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) will make decisions that will touch upon key aspects of the operation of the economies of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, a member of the delegation that accompanied President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during his visit to Russia told BelTA.

According to BelTA, the source said that participants of the session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council had discussed the structure of the Eurasian Economic Commission and relevant personnel and budgeting matters in detail. "The sides shared opinions regarding the launch of the Single Economic Space as from 1 January 2012 and the development of the institutions of our integration association," said the source. "I am confident that the transition from the Customs Union Commission to the Eurasian Economic Commission will be smooth and gradual. It will ensure continuity and effective operation of the new body".

At the session held on 19 December the decision to enforce 17 international treaties that make up the foundation of the legal base of the Single Economic Space was made. Hence the efforts will now transition to the practical dimension and the economic complexes of the three countries will operate in mutual coordination, said the source.

Besides, a range of matters regarding accession to the World Trade Organization was discussed. The source said that the sides had confirmed the importance of all the Single Economic Space member states joining the WTO on a coordinated basis.

"All in all, today's session has once again confirmed the readiness of the member states of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space to enhance integration cooperation, to decisively implement daring plans that seemed a distant future only yesterday," said the source. The source underlined that the Single Economic Space will open a new chapter in cooperation history. According to the source, the achievement of the high level of integration testifies to a high degree of mutual trust among the three countries.

"The adopted integration strategy is addressed not only to the people of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia but to the world's leading centers of power. We will be respected across the globe if we pursue a consistent and persistent policy. Without it it is impossible to successfully counteract modern threats and challenges such as, for instance, the financial crisis that has achieved a global level," said the source. The source also stressed that deep and productive integration with the closest neighboring countries has been and will be the natural way of development for Belarus.

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