Ukraine to become observer at Customs Union

Ukraine will become an observer at the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in late May, RIA Novosti cites Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov.

The PM noted that discussions of technical aspects of the process with Kazakhstan and Belarus were almost accomplished. Ukraine will have an office at the Eurasian Economic Commission.

Ukraine’ membership in the Customs Union is one of the conditions Gazprom has in order to sell cheaper fuel to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych said on April 5 that Kiev was expecting to become an observer. Ukrainian ex-Minister for Economic Development and Trade Petr Poroshenko said on April 20 that Kiev would most likely scrap the idea, due to signing of an EU association agreement in autumn.

Adapted from: Vestnik Kavkaza