OREANDA-NEWS. November 24, 2010. Governments of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus have coordinated all the major issues related to formation of the Common Economic Space [to be launched early 2011], announced Kazakhstan’s PM Karim Massimov at a press-conference following the sitting of prime ministerial summit of the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in St Petersburg.

“It is of paramount importance that the governments of the three states have coordinated major issues - and even signed some documents - to lay the foundation for the Common Economic Space (CES) so that we could submit the whole legal framework for consideration by Heads of State early December”, Mr. Massimov said.

“This legal framework will allow greater integration, offering more opportunities for enterprises of our states to fairly compete and gain economic advantages”, he added.

“I believe completed coordination is a major landmark…and people of our nations are to see tangible results of the reached agreements”, the PM said.

“For the recent 19 years Kazakhstan has been seeking to resolve some issues related to railway transit and tariffs in particular. These issues are of prime importance for Kazakhstan’s enterprises… The mentioned above agreements have resolved these issues. Within the would-be CES we have no longer any disputes or controversies related to railways transit”.

“Besides, we have found a mutually acceptable solution for Kazakhstan’s enterprises based in the electric-power-strapped West of the country…through transit of Kazakhstan’s electric power across the Russian territory”, he added.