Putin sees customs union of some ex-Soviet countries functioning by '10

A customs union of several former Soviet countries is expected to start functioning by 2010, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a summit of the Eurasian Economic Community, or EurAsEc.

In August 2006, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan agreed to join the union, Putin said.
He added that other members of the EurAsEc were also expected to subsequently accede to the customs union.

Besides Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, the EurAsEc includes Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The community was set up in 2001.
Its stated goals include economic integration and common border security.