Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 March (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia should approve the intended figures of bilateral trade in agricultural products as soon as possible, BelTA learned from State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Grigory Rapota on 12 March.

The official said: “We are always ready to get involved in any matters concerning the bilateral relations regardless of what venue is used to handle these matters. As far as mutual relations in regulating the export and import of agricultural products are concerned, the relevant regulations have been polished using the Eurasian Economic Union platform. Intended food trade figures get approved in the course of bilateral relations. Every year the sides approve the intended export and import of various types of agricultural products.”

The state secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia said: “We [the Standing Committee of the Union State of Belarus and Russia] always make sure the intended food trade figures get approved as soon as possible. This year began a long time ago while the figures concerning a number of products have not been approved yet. This is why we are doing everything possible to get the relevant ministries and government agencies to do this work as fast as possible. It is part of our work.”

In his words, Belarus and Russia were supposed to sign the relevant intended food trade figures back in January but the process is getting protracted for some reason. “We’ve had to send reminders to the agriculture ministers of Belarus and Russia to tell them it is high time the matter was resolved,” noted Grigory Rapota.

The official said he hopes that Belarus and Russia will soon be able to resolve their differences of opinion concerning food trade, including dairy products. “I’d like to believe that everything will be fine. Everything always gets fine in the end. But sometimes things get dragged out, causing a lot of displeasure among all the market participants. This is why the sooner it will be resolved, the better,” stressed the state secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

Grigory Rapota specified that the Standing Committee of the Union State of Belarus and Russia is not directly involved in the negotiations. “This is why I cannot say anything but what the press reports. We’ve offered our services. Our services are not needed for now. Apparently Belarus and Russia will make do within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union or via bilateral negotiations on their own,” he said. Asked whether the matter had been discussed with the Belarus president earlier that day, Grigory Rapota noted it had been discussed to some degree.