DUSHANBE , January 25, Asia-Plus – RIA Novosti -- Leaders of member nations of the Eurasian Economic Community gathered in St. Petersburg Wednesday for an extraordinary meeting of the EAEC Interstate Committee. 

RIA Novosti reports the meeting is focusing on discussing Uzbekistan ''s admittance to the club.

Presidents from Russia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , and Tajikistan as well as the Community General Secretary Grigory Rapota assembled in St. Petersburg , where they were joined by Uzbek President Islam Karimov for a session of the Interstate Council.  Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is presiding over the meeting.

According to Rapota, the council is completing the political aspects of Uzbekistan ''s accession to the Community, which means that the country will be able to play a role in the community.  Rapota said Uzbekistan had vast agricultural and industrial resources, and its accession to the Community would allow the organization to resolve energy, water supply and transportation problems in Central Asia .  He also said Uzbekistan with its nearly 27 million people was one of the most populated countries in Central Asia , which meant its integration in the community would expand regional markets and help regulate migration in the region.

Since it was founded in May 2001 by Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Russia , and Tajikistan , EAEC has sought to create a full-scale customs union and a common economic space, harmonize customs tariff, and cooperate in member countries'' efforts to join the World Trade Organization.