Minister Says Kyrgyz Will Join Customs Union In 2014

Kyrgyz Economy Minister Temir Sariev

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz Economy Minister Temir Sariev says his country will join a Russia-led customs union in 2014.

Sariev told the parliament's State Budget and Finances Committee on December 3 that a special group is working on a road map for Kyrgyzstan's entry into the CIS Customs Union.

It is the first time a government official has offered a concrete date for joining.

Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia launched the customs union in July 2011 and formally initiated the so-called Common Economic Space in January.

They were created to allow the free movement of services, capital, workers, and goods among the members.

Russian officials say the eventual goal is to set up what they describe as a Eurasian economic union by 2015, which would be modeled after the European Union.