Putin calls for Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan free trade talks

Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, which have recently formed a common economic space (CES), should start talks to create a free trade zone with the European Union, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. "I agree that the task is not easy, but we could solve it much more efficiently within the CES and I am sure - with more profit for Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan - than if we did it individually," Putin told a forum of the Customs Union states. Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan dismantled customs controls on their internal borders from July 1. Putin said talks to create a free trade zone had been launched with the European Free Trade Association, uniting Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. "Uniting three countries, we become more attractive for any partner," Putin added.