Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 October (BelTA) – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev suggests that Turkey should be part of the Customs Union. The Kazakhstan President made the relevant statement at the session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on 24 October, BelTA has learned.

“I hear many say that, for instance, Syria would like to enter [the Customs Union]. Turkey Prime Minister Erdogan has contacted me to ask whether Turkey could be part of the Customs Union,” said the Kazakhstan President.

Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke in positive terms about the possibility. “Turkey is a large country, we have a common border. Critics would be silenced if we do that. Everywhere in the West I get asked whether we are creating the Soviet Union or something to suit Russia. And I have to explain that we do nothing of the kind,” noted the Kazakhstani leader. “It is possible that if we let Turkey join, the questions will stop,” suggested the Kazakhstan President.