Belarus and Russia agree on cabotage transportation - Belarusian PM
MINSK. March 27 (Interfax) - The respective governments of Belarus and Russia have reached a solution for Belarusian companies to participate in cabotage transportation within the Russian Federation, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko told reporters after a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Moscow, according to the BelTA state news agency.
"Russia's regulatory framework to date has prohibited Belarusian carriers from shipping goods within the Russian Federation. However, this is a matter of principle for us. (...) In principle, an understanding has been reached with our Russian colleagues on how to do this. The only matter on which we are currently consulting concerns when the decision enters into force," Golovchenko said.
According to Golovchenko, "We insist that the issue be resolved more quickly, while our Russian colleagues are still proposing a slightly later date for entry into force. (...) We are continuing discussions on the timing of the decision entering into force."
"Although we had not come to an understanding at the end of last year about how this would operate, at least we have now," he noted.
Golovchenko also said that the Belarusian side was counting on further reducing tariffs for cargo transportation by railway in the direction of Russian ports.
"We have reached an agreement with our colleagues that there will still be specific changes in the cost of transportation, primarily by railway. We cooperate with more than 20 Russian ports, and we also have fairly privileged tariffs, thus everything is in order here in this regard," the prime minister said.
Moreover, Golovchenko noted that the parties had agreed overall on unifying tariffs for air navigation services.
"We must reduce to a single tariff for both Russian air carriers and the national airline Belavia. Fundamental decisions have been reached, and we are currently discussing the timing of the decision entering into force. This should accordingly reduce the cost and tariffs for Belavia, and there should be additional opportunities for flights to Russia's regions," Golovchenko said.
As reported, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in early March instructed the government to provide Belarusian companies with access to cabotage transportation on the territory of the Russian Federation during 2023. Lukashenko also stressed the need to build new routes to expand trade and further upgrade transport infrastructure.
