Speaking at a session of the Eurasian Economic Commonwealth (EES) in Moscow on 19 February, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said he supports the idea of using the Russian ruble as the organization\'s common currency. The idea was proposed earlier at the session by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who said, \"It is nonsense that businessmen in these countries make deals in foreign currencies and part of their profits goes God knows where.\" Kasyanov also proposed the creation of a Eurasian natural-gas consortium, which would create uniform trade and transit conditions for all members. Kasyanov stressed that Ukraine and Moldova – which participated in the session as observers -- are especially interested in the gas-transit issue. (RFE/RL)