20 Jan 2011 18:21

CEP legal framework will be ready soon - Putin

MOSCOW. Jan 20 (Interfax) - Russia will soon complete work on a package of documents setting a legal framework for a Common Economic Space between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced Thursday.

"We are pleased that Belarus has already ratified a package of documents on a legal framework for the CEP. Intensive work in this direction continues in Russia and Kazakhstan. We are hoping to finish it soon," Putin said at a press conference after talks with his Belarusian counterpart Mikhail Myasnikovich.

Putin urged constructive dialogue with Belarus, closer mutually profitable partnership and greater efforts within the framework of the Union State of Russia and Belarus.

Myasnikovich, said that the parties had agreed to convene the Council of Ministers of the Union State in the first quarter of 2011 "because many problems have accumulated, which need to be tackled in order to boost cooperation."

The prime ministers instructed their deputies and ministers to look into issues concerning the fuel and energy sector, Myasnikovich said.

Putin expressed hope that all issues emerging in the fuel and energy sector would be addressed constructively and with due account for the interests of Russian and Belarusian companies.