Uzbekistan considers pros and cons of Eurasian Economic Union accession – PM

AKIPRESS.COM - "Positive and negative aspects of possible accession of Uzbekistan into the Eurasian Economic Union are considered," Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov said.
Some 2.2 million citizens of Uzbekistan are migrant workers, he said.
"We are concerned about that. We do not want them to work there. We have issued the resolution as ordered by the President on admission of students studying in the neighboring countries at any local university... We want them to work here. We are creating new work places now," the Prime Minister said.
"Each of 2.2 million of our people working in Russia have to pay almost $100 for a work patent. They spend around $1,000 a year. Someone want us to join the Eurasian Economic Union, others dislike the idea. There are too many experts now, who claim we will lose our independence, but in what way? The government will submit its conclusion to the Parliament and it will consider the move," Abdulla Aripov said.
In case of abolishment of work permit requirement, around $2 billion will be kept by 2 million citizens of Uzbekistan working abroad, Abdulla Aripov said.
The cost of the work permit in big cities of Russia varies between $65-$80.