Belarus, Kazakh Leaders Confirm 'Unity' On Summit Eve

The presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan, Alyaksandr Lukashenka (left) and Nursultan Nazarbaev

MINSK -- The presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan say they have reached a "unity of viewpoints" regarding international issues and the economic union involving their nations and Russia.

The joint statement on May 14, issued during Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev's visit to Belarus, comes after Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in April accused Nazarbaev of blocking progress on creation of a Eurasian "economic union."

This union, planned to be established by 2015, would also include Russia and would be aimed at facilitating the free movement of services, capital, workers, and goods between the three countries.

Lukashenka and Nazarbaev are due to attend an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow on May 15, hosted by Vladimir Putin, who was officially installed last week for his third term as Russian president.

With reporting by Interfax