The bloc is expected to boost Moscow's influence in the region but could complicate World Trade Organisation membership talks. Belarus dropped its plans to join amid a dispute with Moscow over oil tariffs.
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday called Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and agreed to continue discussion of the customs union at high-level bilateral talks due to take place in the coming days, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Negotiations on Belarus' membership stalled as Russia refused to abolish export duties on the oil it sells Minsk. Analysts view duty-free oil exports as a key incentive for the former Soviet republic to join the pact. (Reuters)