Tajikistan must not rush with the accession to the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajik ambassador to Belarus Kozidavlat Koimdodov said at a press conference in Minsk on Friday, CA-NEWS reported.
"We always say that the establishment of a union must not harm anyone, Belta agency quoted the diplomat as saying. "We must be ready for this."
Koimdodov said that the legal framework required for the accession can be created in a relatively short period of time. The appropriate economic base is of great importance. The ambassador stressed in case of joining the Customs Union, Tajikistan will lose $400-500 million.
"This money must first be found," he said. "We must not hurry."
The diplomat also stressed the importance of the territorial issue. Tajikistan does not have common land borders with the current three members of the union. However, if the issue with Kyrgyzstan's joining the Customs Union is resolved, this will open great opportunities for Tajikistan's joining as the countries have a common border, Belta reported.