ASTANA — The three main members of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union face a big economic challenge from the fall in global oil prices, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on Friday. But, speaking before talks in the Kazakh capital Astana with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, Nazarbayev said the situation had become more stable.Belarus and oil producers Kazakhstan and Russia are joined by Armenia in the Eurasian Economic Union. A fifth former Soviet republic, Kyrgyzstan, is due to accede to the political and economic bloc this year. Putin said before the talks: “We face a really difficult situation in the global economy. Taking into account the situation on the markets.”But he expressed hope that Russia's partnership with Kazakhstan would “help us overcome the difficulties.” – Reuters
