Belarus Protests Against the Customs Union Entering into Force without It

31.05.2010 09:06
Архив Редакция

The government of Belarus issued a statement where expressed its willingness to enact the full common customs territory of the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. As noted in the Council of Ministers, this decision is made based on the Treaty to establish common customs territory and to form the Customs Union on October 6, 2007.

According to Belarusian government, under the condition to implement the earlier decisions within the Customs Union, creation of common customs territory of the CU can be finished till July 1, 2010, BelTA informs.

However, the Council of Ministers expressed its protest against the decision of the Prime Ministers of Russia and Kazakhstan — adopted on May 28 — to redistribute the share of customs duties in the CU between the two countries at the level of 92.31 and 7.69% respectively, leaving Belarus out of account.

As noted in the government of Belarus, it is «contrary to the existing legal framework of the Customs Union, not consistent with international rules and harms the interests of economic entities and citizens of the three states».

«For its part, Belarus confirms its commitment to integration with Russia and Kazakhstan in the framework of the Customs Union and Common economic space. Belarusian party will continue to work with Russian and Kazakh partners, aimed at the speedy establishment of the Customs Union and full common economic space with no exceptions», stated in Belarusian Council of Ministers.

Previously, the distribution of customs duties was the following: Belarus — 4.7%, Kazakhstan — 7.33%, Russia — 87.97%. On May 28 Russia and Kazakhstan agreed that on bilateral basis from July 1 there would enter into force the Customs code of the Customs Union and a number of international treaties, adopted to develop the provisions of the Customs code. Belarus may adhere to these documents at any time.

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