Tensions surface during Eurasian economic bloc summit in Kazakhstan
Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov opened a one-day summit meeting in Astana on April 18 of the Eurasian Economic Community (Eurasec), according to Interfax and AKIpress. The meeting, the 18th session of the Eurasec intergovernmental council, was attended by the prime ministers from each of the six Eurasec member states (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). Participants discussed the possible adoption of measures aimed at broadening cooperation in the energy and transportation sectors, with Belarus and Kazakhstan criticizing Russia's ongoing reluctance to expedite the creation of a coordinated energy strategy, the daily "Kommersant" reported on April 19. In light of that reluctance, Masimov proposed postponing the formation of the planned customs union uniting Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan until all three countries have joined the World Trade Organization. LF/RG // Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. RFE/RL
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