World Bulletin / News Desk

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev has vowed to enter his country into the Russia-led Customs Union.

Talking to reporters in Shanghai, China, on Tuesday, Atambaev said Kyrgyzstan had made an "economic decision" to join the bloc and that it was in their best interests.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev, who had also expressed interest in joining the bloc, said however that the country needed another $400 million to be able to join and that Kyrgyzstan currently does not have the finances.

Ongoing discussiongs about Kyrgyzstan possibly entering the Customs Union are set to conclude on May 29.

As well as founding member Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are also members, with Armenia set to apply.

By many the Customs Union is seen as a revival of the Soviet Union under a model similar to that of the European Union.