Most of CIS states agreed to set up free trade regimeOctober 19, 2011 - 09:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The majority of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries have agreed to set up a free trade regime after two decades of debate, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said late on Tuesday, October 18. "As a result of long, heated, but constructive negotiations we have made a decision on the main issue we've gathered here for today. We've agreed today to sign an agreement on a free trade zone in the CIS," Putin said, RIA Novosti reported. The CIS includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Putin said the document was signed by all the CIS states except Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which will consider signing the agreement by the end of the year. "We will cancel export and import duties on certain groups of goods. There are certain exemptions ... but they will gradually become a thing of the past," Putin said. The CIS Prime Ministers also signed an agreement on the basic principles of currency regulation and currency controls in the CIS. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |