Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan to seal Customs Union deal

The presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will sign a deal on a Customs Union between the three ex-Soviet republics in Minsk on November 27, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia are set to sign a number of joint documents," Andrei Nesterenko said, adding that the Customs Union would start functioning "from January 1 next year."

Nesterenko said the presidents would meet in Minsk as part of a session of the Inter-State Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) member states, and the Customs Union supreme body at the level of the heads of state.

Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the creation of a Customs Union would strengthen Russia's economic position.

"The Customs Union means the strengthening of Russia's positions and I hope that Belarus and Kazakhstan will not be left on the sidelines," Lukashenko said.

RIA Novosti