A session of EurAsEC's intergovernmental council opened in the capital of Kazakhstan on Monday to discuss the prospects for the regional organization and the Customs Union, RIA Novosti reports.
EurAsEC comprises Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Its intergovernmental council doubles as the top body of the Customs Union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
"We will try to make your stay and work here pleasant and successful," Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on the 10th anniversary of the organization.
"I sincerely hope that today's meeting will be held in an atmosphere of trust, which is important for taking responsible decisions and further developing our community," he said.
The Customs Union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan formally came into existence on January 1, but is unable to start working fully until disputes are resolved and a customs code comes into effect. Russia and Kazakhstan have already ratified the document.
Belarus has dragged its feet on ratification, but on Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said his country had also ratified the document.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is in Kazakhstan to attend the EurAsEC summit. He is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Nazarbayev and is expected to meet with new Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva.
