Kyrgyzstan's decision on Customs Union membership hailed

"Together our countries will have an opportunity to become stronger and richer. Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Customs Union will expand the market for foreign direct investment and will promote trade growth. Cancellation of customs control and customs processing fees at the internal borders of the Customs Union as well as the freedom of transit will cut down significantly on expenses of the participants in foreign trade activities and create favorable conditions for the operation of wholesale markets of the Kyrgyz Republic. A great advantage for Kyrgyz producers will bring the removal of inner sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary control points" Tatyana Valovaya stressed.

According to the minister, the trade between the Customs Union and Kyrgyzstan totaled $3 billion in 2012. "It is 25% up on 2011. Kyrgyzstan's share in the Customs Union foreign trade rose from 0.27% to 0.32%," she noted.

While in Bishkek, Tatyana Valovaya chaired a meeting of the EEC working group on Kyrgyzstan's Customs Union entry. Partaking in the meeting were delegations of the Customs Union member states and the corresponding departments of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Kyrgyzstan was presented by the governmental interdepartmental commission for negotiations on Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space.

In April 2011 President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev made an official statement on the country's readiness to launch the process of obtaining membership in the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space.

Published by BelTA