Budget for EuroAsian economic community will total just over USD 3 million in 2004

The budget for the EuroAsian economic community will come to just over USD three million in 2004. As a Rosbalt correspondent reports, this was announced by General Secretary of the Community Grigory Rapot after an assembly of the community's joint committee. Russia will provide 40% of the budget, Belarus and Kazakhstan will both provide 20% each while Tajikistan and Kirgizia provide just 10% each.

According to Committee Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Sauat Mynbayev, 18 different issues were discussed at the latest meeting. The most important issues dealt with were the economic priorities of the community for the 2003-2006 period and also the problems of protecting domestic markets without enforcing anti-dumping restrictions. Mr Mynbayev said that until the legislation of community member-states becomes more unified, the governments of these countries may be forced to take certain measures to protect their own domestic markets.

The possibility of a common customs tariff within the community was also discussed. Mr Rapot said it is likely that an agreement will be reached on this before the end of the year.