CIS free trade zone treaty in force in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine

      The treaty on a free trade zone in the Commonwealth of Independent States came into force in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine on 20 September.
      The document was signed by Belarus, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Ukraine in Saint Petersburg on 18 December 2010. Belarus and Russia were the first ones to complete the ratification procedures. Ukraine did the same a month ago.
      Armenia has ratified the document and it will come into force on 17 October. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Tajikistan have yet to start the intrastate procedures.
The CIS free trade zone treaty is meant to enable conditions for full-fledged and effective operation of a free trade zone in the CIS space. It also has to create favorable conditions for further enhancement of integration on norms of the World Trade Organization.
      Unlike similar documents, which are in effect in the CIS, this one provides for an instrument to force the sides that fail to honor their obligations to honor them. Rules to resolve disputes are the instrument. They are laid down in an addendum to the document.
       Along with canceling import and export duties the treaty forces the sides to non-discriminately use non-tariff regulations, enable the equality of aliens, and follow subsidizing rules, which are compliant with the international practice.
The CIS free trade zone treaty will replace the existing bilateral and multilateral documents on free trade.