Belarusian parliament ratifies treaty on Kyrgyzstan’s joining Eurasian Economic Union

MINSK, June 30. /TASS/. Belarus’ upper parliament house, or the Council of the Republic, on Tuesday ratified the treaty on Kyrgyzstan’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The lower House of Representatives approved the document on June 26. Now, it is to be signed by the president. "Kyrgyzstan’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union meets the interests of Belarus and the entire Union," First Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Mikhnevich said presenting the document. According to Mikhnevich, Kyrgyzstan has stockpiled lots of commodity from third countries and "their free entry to the EAEU market could have done economic damage." "All these issues were settled in the course of rather constructive talks with Kyrgyzstan," he said. "Control over imports will be exercised at the border between Kyrgyzstan and the Eurasian Economic Union for a certain period. We agreed that the commodity imported to Kyrgyzstan and stockpiled after January 1, 2014 will be subject to administration at Kyrgyzstan’s outer borders and will be subject to additional charge on relevant customs duties." Kyrgyzstan joined the Eurasian Economic Union treaty on May 8. A protocol was signed allowing for a transitional period in Kyrgyzstan to adjust to EAEU standards. Read more