24 May 2004 16:45
Putin talks up benefits of economic pact with Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan
Yalta, 24 May: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the creation of a Single Economic Space [SES] by
Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine could provide a "powerful lever for the growth of the economies of the four
countries, increase their competitiveness on global markets and, most importantly, make possible an increase in the
quality of life of their citizens".
Speaking today during a summit of the SES member countries, Putin said, "The main task at the next stage of the
formation of the SES is to create as quickly as possible a viable legal and regulatory basis for economic
cooperation."
Putin said it is necessary to assign experts from the four countries to draft the relevant documents by the end of
this year. "Their signing should not be drawn out either," he said.
Putin said that by 2005-2006, the countries could reach specific agreements on most of the main issues. Putin said
these include "conducting a coordinated foreign trade policy, and forming common customs charges, a unified
competitive environment and a unified regulatory body".
Putin said, "Agreements on some of these issues could even be reached in the near future."
Putin said that during informal meetings on 23 May, the four heads of state discussed "the most important
questions linked to the further steps towards creating the SES, and the meeting participants concluded that an open and
constructive dialogue will allow us to move forward and find effective solutions".
[Interfax-Ukraine news agency] |
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