Transcript of the meeting: 

Vladimir Putin: Mr Mansurov, we have known each other for a long time, but I think it is the first time that I am meeting you in your new capacity, in your new job. I would be glad to hear your opinion about how one of the most promising and effective associations in the post-Soviet space is doing.

Tair Mansurov: Mr. Putin, I would like to report to you on the implementation of the instructions of the Interstate EurAsEC Council, which met in Dushanbe in October last year with the participation of the heads of government.

The main task of the EurAsEC is the Customs Union. The action plan approved by the Interstate Council is being implemented effectively. All that has been scheduled for the first half of 2008 has been fulfilled.

On January 25 the heads of government signed documents that provide the full legal framework for the Customs Union.

The Integration Committee has its meetings practically every month and is preparing further necessary documents because the Customs Union, as the Interstate Council has ruled, must meet international standards.

We need a common external border, a common customs territory and a single customs tariff. All the ministries and agencies of the three countries are working in all these three areas.

I think that it is absolutely realistic to have a Customs Union in 2008-2010. During the roundtable at the 12th International Economic Forum in St Petersburg many asked whether it was possible to create a Customs Union within the earlier announced deadlines. I said that the presidents and heads of government of the three countries are unanimous that the Customs Union will be formed. Our main efforts are directed at what we have been instructed to do: at ensuring effective development of the economic component of all the agencies and structures in the Eurasian space. It was noted that the people who live in our countries are already feeling the benefits of macroeconomic interaction. Trade has increased - and the data have been confirmed - from $30 billion in 2000 to $102 billion in 2007, i.e. by 240%. It is thanks to our sustained effort over the past years that we have such achievements to report.

Our Customs Union should become the same as the similar union that has existed in the European Union for many years. So the next task that we face is to create a common economic space. That task will be tackled after the creation of the Customs Union, but already we are working on the documents required for further development of EurAsEC at the expert level.

Vladimir Putin: Are you in any way lagging behind schedule or is everything going according to plan?

Tair Mansurov: We are keeping to the schedule approved for 2008-2010. We have developed a plan of activities and we have set deadlines for each of its 29 points: when the experts are to start drafting the documents, when they will be submitted to the Integration Committee and when they will be presented to the heads of government. Such a consistent, step-by-step approach enables us to fulfill the action plan on time.