KYRGYZSTAN-KAZAKHSTAN/BORDER Kyrgyzstan removes customs control with Kazakhstan after joining Russia-led union

Record ID: 144120

  • Title: KYRGYZSTAN-KAZAKHSTAN/BORDER Kyrgyzstan removes customs control with Kazakhstan after joining Russia-led union
  • Date: 12th August 2015
  • Summary: NEAR BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN (AUGUST 12, 2015) (REUTERS) ATAMBAYEV AND NAZARBAYEV LISTENING SEEN ON SCREEN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) KYRGYZ PRIME MINISTER TEMIR SARIYEV, SAYING : "I think that joining the Customs Union, the Eurasian Economic Union will give a strong impulse to us. The most important thing for us is to be able to strengthen our statehood, to strengthen our economy
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kyrgyzstan
  • Country: Kyrgyzstan
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVACJCQ4B3ZDDP60KRDGKN6IIQ9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan removed customs control on the border with the neighbouring Kazakhstan following its accession to the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union.
    The treaty deepens the ties between the ex-Soviet republics forged when the three countries - Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia - took the initial step of creating a customs union in 2010. Later Kyrgyzstan and Armenia also joined the organisation.
    Critics see the union as Russia's attempt to restore as much as possible of the former Soviet Union.
    Opening of the border with Kazakhstan was marked with a small ceremony on Wednesday (August 12) attended by the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Temir Sariyev.
    President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev were watching the ceremony live on TV from a residence near the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border.
    "I think that joining the Customs Union, the Eurasian Economic Union will give a strong impulse to us. The most important thing for us is to be able to strengthen our statehood, to strengthen our economy and to create the best conditions and to increase the quality of living of the population," Sariyev said, addressing the gathering at the largest border-crossing Akzhol on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border.
    Customs controls were removed from all eight border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
    "I am absolutely sure that the people of Kyrgyzstan will very soon see positive consequences of Kyrgyzstan's joining the Eurasian Economic Union," acting head of Eurasian Economic Commission, Tatyana Valovaya said while attending the ceremony at the border.
    The Eurasian Union was created to guarantee free transit of goods, services, capital and workforce and coordinate policy for major economic sectors.
    After joining the union Bishkek cancelled a cooperation treaty with the United States, raising the stakes in a diplomatic row triggered by the award of a human rights prize to a jailed dissident.
    Kyrgyz farmers said they hope that the removal of customs control at border-crossings with neighbouring Kazakhstan will be beneficial for their business.
    "They have opened the border, I think now it will be at least a bit easier for the farmers. Why? Because there are more peasants now, the markets are full. Kyrgyzstan is a small country and that's why it would be better for the farmers to export their goods," Kyrgyz farmer Abdukerin Tanatarov said.
    Five former Soviet Republics are members of the Eurasian Economic Union: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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