Kyrgyz Road Map For Joining Customs Union 'Unacceptable'

Joomart Otorbaev said Kyrgyz experts were not involved in the outlining of the current road map and, therefore, it might cause "social problems and instability" in Kyrgyzstan, if implemented.

Deputy Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev has called Kyrgyzstan's road map to join a Russian-led customs union "unacceptable."

Otorbaev made the statement at a working session held in Bishkek on December 11 by President Almazbek Atambaev.

He complained that the road map was solely worked out by the Eurasian Economic Commission, which oversees the integration of former Soviet republics.

Otorbaev said Kyrgyz experts were not involved in the outlining of the current road map and, therefore, it might cause "social problems and instability" in Kyrgyzstan, if implemented.

Atambaev concluded the working session by saying that Bishkek would always "take Kyrgyz national interests into account."

Kyrgyz Economy Minister Temir Sariev said a year ago that his country aims to join the customs union in 2014.

The CIS Customs Union was launched in 2011 and currently consists of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Based on reporting by Kabar.kg and Interfax