Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan signed on Friday a macroeconomic policy coordination agreement, a key part of their drive to create a free trade zone in 2012.

Government sources told Reuters that the agreement between the customs union members covers common approach to policies regarding debt, exchange rates and inflation.

The Russian government said the three prime ministers signed the economic agreement at their meeting in Minsk and that documents on migration and access to natural monopolies services had also been signed.

Friday's agreements are among several being negotiated to form a common economic area across the three countries in 2012.

Russia, the largest economy of the three, pushed through the customs union after losing patience over its bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The three countries have a joint customs code and imported goods move freely between their combined territory stretching from Poland in the west to China in the east. (Reuters)