Commenting on the meeting's outcome Igor Shuvalov said Belarus and Kazakhstan would be able to take advantage of Russia's progress in negotiations for WTO accession. "Russia has agreements on more issues, Russia pushed through difficult negotiations, and we have an advantage, but now it is our common advantage," the First Deputy Prime Minister said. He underlined that Belarus and Kazakhstan, within the framework of a customs union with Russia, will join the WTO on the same conditions as Russia. 

The first deputy prime minister said the Customs Union will seek the council of an international legal firm to pursue WTO accession as a single customs territory. "A delegation will be established, which in the course of a month, will agree how the accession process will proceed within the new format," Mr Shuvalov said.

Regarding the so called "milk" conflict between Russia and Belarus, the First Deputy Prime Minister noted that the disagreement does not indicate a breakdown in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. "Neither difficulties regarding the admission of Belarusian goods onto our market, nor any other difficulties should be seen as a sign of disintegration. We are working steadily, intensively, and have the tools needed to resolve these problems" he said. "This is part of a normal process to defend market interests. Our relationship with Belarus is one of partnership and friendship," Mr Shuvalov added.

The process of assigning and distributing customs duties was discussed at a Commission meeting on Thursday. A decision on this might be reached during the next month.

The Commission's next meeting will take place on August 12, which is the deadline for finishing the Customs law code.