Sidorski takes offense at his CES colleagues

Russia and Kazakhstan's accession to the WTO endangers the unified customs tariffs of the Customs Union.

Syarhei Sidorski, a member of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, said it to journalists today, BelTA reports.

Syarhei Sidorski added very complicated talks were carried out at the stage of creation of the Customs Union to approve the unified tariffs covering tens of thousands of commodities. Belarusian and Kazakh partners said after formation of the Customs Union the three countries of the union would advocate common terms for WTO entry. However, Russia and Kazakhstan started private talks and now “we have but to accept the fact that they will join the WTO with lower customs tariffs”, Syarhei Sidorski said. “It is important for Russia and Kazakhstan to avoid accepting lower tariffs that have not been authorized by the troika because several protective measures had been enabled within the framework of the Customs Union,” Sidorski noted.

He stressed all Belarusian ministries and departments should start urgent talks with their Russian and Kazakh partners to agree on compensation mechanisms. “It is a pressing matter,” Syarhei Sidorski said.