Russia, Belarus presidents arrive in Astana

Together with their Kazakhstani counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, they are set to participate in a top-level meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and sign the Treaty establishing the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The document will be ratified by the parliaments of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan by year-end. The Eurasian Economic Union is to become operational on January 1, 2015. According to RIA Novosti, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin will hold a bilateral meeting in Astana as well. Following the meeting, the sides are expected to sign a package of documents, including a memorandum on construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.