Vietnam is preparing to begin negotiations on its accession to the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, which would allow it to trade freely with the post-Soviet states, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang told reporters in Russia’s Naryan Mar on Sunday, according to RIA Novosti.
“If there is a political will on the part of our countries’ authorities, as well as Belarusian and Kazakh partners, we will soon be able to start this process [joining the Customs Union],” said Mr. Sang.
The talks will be launched at the 24th summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Russia’s Vladivostok this September, he said.
Mr. Sang expressed confidence that Vietnam’s accession to the Customs Union would give a boost to its trade with Russia.
In December last year, Vietnam formally invited Russia to establish a free trade zone.
Last week Kyrgyz Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov said that his country had filed an application to join the Customs Union, a move that was supported by Russia, according to RIA Novosti. //BelaPAN
