Eurasian Integration Yearbook 2012

Natalia Maqsimchook. “Chronicle of EurasianRegional Integration 2011”2011: Data and Reviewsfield number, crop code, the address of the transport company that moved it,and the grain depot or store. Individual numbers have to be assigned to everyproducer, transporter, warehouseman and individual or legal entity engaged ingrain transactions. Together with the bar code each grain market participant willreceive a document confirming the name and address of the participant, theirtype of activity and coordinates of the local supervisory authority. The drafttechnical regulation is scheduled to be enacted on July 1, 2012, according toan explanatory note.Customs Union member states to create special ministrySeptember 16, 2011KommersantRussia, Belarus and Kazakhstan intend to establish a special CU ministryresponsible for ratifying ordinary and strategic decisions and approving draftinternational agreements. Viktor Khrystenko will be appointed head of theministry. The draft agreement on the Customs Union Commission will bereviewed during the Commission’s regular meeting on September 22-23 inAlmaty. If the agreement is ratified, the current management structure – viathe supervising Deputy Prime Ministers – will be superseded by a two-tiermanagement structure consisting of the Commission Council (a ten-memberstrategic body) and the Commission Board, which would become a separatesupranational government operating on a professional, rather than a nationallevel.A chairman will be appointed from among the ministers or commissioners onthe Board. It is assumed that the Deputy Prime Ministers of Belarus, Kazakhstanand Russia will become members of the Commission Council (currentlythese are Sergey Rumas in Belarus, Umirzak Shukeev in Kazakhstan and IgorShuvalov in Russia). Russia will receive 57% of votes in the Council, Belarusand Kazakhstan – 21.5% each. The countries will take turns in presiding overthe Council. The Commission’s decisions will become legislation, which,along with international agreements, will constitute the contractual and legalframework of the Single Economic Space. The Commission’s operations willbe financed by contributions from the parties proportional to their number ofvotes. According to preliminary estimates, the budget may amount to $50-$60million. The Commission will be based in Moscow.Controversies over Customs Union technical regulationsOctober 3, 2011Vedomosti, Kursiv.kzThe CU has been functioning for almost two years since January 1, 2010.Borders are open and goods move freely between Kazakhstan, Russia andEurasian Development Bank241