“In about a month, starting on January 1, 2012, the economies of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus will operate in the Common Economic Space. I’d like to emphasise in this regard that this integration association relies on the fundamental principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which are familiar and clear to our foreign business partners.”
“We have also agreed that Gazprom will acquire 100% interest in Beltransgaz, the Belarusian gas transportation system. This is a very important issue which will help normalise our relations with Belarus for years to come, and will also secure the unconditional transport of Russian energy supplies across Belarus to Western Europe.”
“The first, a perennial issue in our relations with our neighbours, has to do with energy supplies. <…> Belarus will receive a so-called integration discount for a few years and by 2014 will gradually start paying as much as our European customers minus export duties and the transportation cost. Today, Belarus is paying 244 dollars per 1,000 cubic metres of gas. We have reached an agreement with the Belarusian government, whereby we will restructure these payments next year, given the difficulties facing the Belarusian economy. Next year, with an average projected price of about 400 dollars for European consumers, Belarus will be paying us 164 dollars per 1,000 cubic metres.”
“The Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan was launched this year. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, everyone has been talking about integration. The CIS was functional and it carried out its role more or less, but true integration – I mean practical economic integration – has only just started now. <…> Integration processes are not imposed from the outside – they lie at the heart of the interests of our partners. We are led towards cooperation based on internal necessities. I must say that the leaders of both Kazakhstan and Belarus have done a great deal in helping us reach our current level of integration. Other countries have already voiced their readiness and desire to join in.”
“That the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space are open organisations, and we will welcome all neighbours and colleagues there. Many of them – particularly Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – are even now displaying interest in joining these organisations.”
“Of course, the mechanisms of the Common Economic Space will require further streamlining, and special attention will have to be paid here to the efficiency of supra-state bodies. I'm referring above all to the need to modernise the Customs Union Commission and to set up a standing board, as the scope of this body's responsibilities continues to expand. This will become a permanent body, to which our countries will assign certain powers in areas such as macroeconomics, tariff regulations, industrial subsidies and natural monopolies.”
“The formation of the common customs territory of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus was completed on July 1, 2011. The response of the economy has been positive, a fact that we have highlighted more than once. Our three-way trade grew by one-third, which is a good indicator. Work is also moving along on schedule with the upcoming launch of the Common Economic Space, which will become operational, as planned, on January 1, 2012.
“During the difficult time of the global economic downturn, the EurAsEC promptly worked out some effective instruments to respond to global economic risks and to protect the common economic interests and social welfare of our countries’ people. We have formed an anti-crisis fund, with part of its resources already allocated to support Belarus and Tajikistan.”
“Our countries continue to pursue similar development goals and it is crucial to find a source of growth all across the CIS. Integration is, without a doubt, a source of growth and it will help us take full advantage of such factors as the capacious market, the interconnection of our economies, and sustainable technological cooperation. What is a free trade zone? Let me explain it in a few words. This means that we will lift export and import duties for some groups of goods.”
“Long and, I should say, emotional but constructive talks unexpectedly brought us to the solution to a pivotal question. In fact, we gathered to find an answer to it – and we agreed to sign the treaty on the CIS free trade zone today. <…>I would like to add only that, as we all realise, the matter concerns the establishment of a new foundation for trade and economic relations in the Commonwealth of Independent States. This fundamental treaty will lie as the basis of our long-term trade and economic relations.”