Tajikistan has not shown interest as of yet in joining the Customs Union, the executive secretary of the Customs Union's Commission, Sergei Glazyev, said on Wednesday, Itar-Tass reported.
"Tajikistan has not demonstrated such an intention as of yet," Glazyev said. "Possibly this is connected with the absence of a common border with the member-countries of the Union," he said.
However, if Kyrgyzstan joins the Customs Union, this border will appear and the situation may change, he stressed. He does not believe that the absence of such border is an obstacle for joining the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
"Russia's Kaliningrad region, which, as we know, is situated at a certain distance from the main territory, may serve as an example," Glazyev added. "That is why the absence of a common territory is not the main demand, but is seen as a rather important factor," he stressed.
Glazyev is in Bishkek, taking part in a conference of experts, considering the advantages and disadvantages of Kyrgyzstan's entry into the Customs Union. Last spring the republic sent an application for accession, and
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan approved it one month ago.