Syria is interested in joining a free trade zone, planned by Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad said on Monday.
"We need your support on the issue of acceding to the Belarusian-Russian-Kazakh free trade zone because that will facilitate the development of Syria's trade and economic ties with all three countries," he said during a meeting with Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky.
A Customs Union between the three ex-Soviet states formally came into existence on January 1, 2010, but was unable to start working fully until the Customs Code came into effect, on July 6.
All customs borders between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus will be removed on July 1, 2011 and from January 1, 2012 the three states are expected to introduce a single economic space.
The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have expressed interest in joining the union.
MINSK, July 26 (RIA Novosti)
