Russian Ministry of Justice considers "an absolute political nonsense" the statements of the Belarusian side and a number of media that Belarus has won a lawsuit against Russia in respect to customs duties on Russian oil exported to Belarus. This was stated by Russian Deputy Minister of Justice Vasily Likhachev.
Deputy Justice Minister of Russia reported that the lawsuit is currently still under discussion in the CIS Economic Court. On October 8, 2010 the court invited the Governments of Belarus and Russia to exempt oil, exported to Belarus, from export duties, news agency «RBC» reports.
According to Vasily Likhachev, the proposal was interpreted by the Belarusian side as the victory of Belarus, «it is wrong.» «In this situation it comes to technical advice,» Russian Deputy Minister of Justice.
At the same time, Vasily Likhachev believes that the Belarusian side «sharpens and politicizes this process again» by its statements. In addition, Russian Deputy Minister of Justice explained that during the trial Belarus had repeatedly raised the issue of suspension of levying customs duties on oil products, however, mandatory court decision had not been taken on this matter.
According to Telegraf, the Ministry of Justice demanded from Russia to cancel export duties on oil products and petrochemical raw materials, supplied to Belarusian refineries. The Justice Department sent the claim to the CIS Economic Court on March 25, 2010.
At a recent meeting the Court recommended Russia to cancel duties on petroleum products to Belarus until the issue is resolved (until January 19, 2011). However, the court complied with the Russian side request on granting a delay to work out conciliation procedures within three months, but denied the petition for an introduction to a new group of lawyers.
