BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

18/06/2009

Russia, Belarus take steps to make up after milk row

Russia and Belarus have made steps towards making up, as Minsk has said it would dismantle new customs posts following Moscow's agreement to resume dairy imports from its western neighbor.

At the same time, Russia's state-controlled gas monopoly said Belarus owed more than $230 million in debts for gas supplies this year, and demanded payment by next week, AP reports.

Ties between the ex-Soviet republics have worsened in recent weeks, with Russian and Belarusian officials exchanging angry rhetoric.

Belarusian customs officials announced Tuesday that all cargo coming from Russia would be subject to new rules, including more stringent inspections. The move came in response to the Russian ban on Belarusian dairy products - one of its main exports.

Late Wednesday, however, Belarus' agriculture minister and Russia's top sanitary official announced a deal to resume Belarusian dairy exports to Russia, as early as Thursday. Those exports contribute $1 billion annually to the Belarusian government's $15 billion budget.

Shortly after the announcement, the Belarusian customs service said the customs posts would be removed.

Source:

http://www.mosnews.com/politics/2009/06/18/makeup/

Google
 


Partners:
Face.by Social Network
Face.by