Belarus hopes to resolve all trade disputes with Ukraine in the near future, Director of the Department for Foreign Economic Activity of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus Igor Nazaruk told media on 29 July, BelTA has learnt.

According to Igor Nazaruk, it is not about a conflict or some trade war. “There is little misunderstanding. The way out is seen in a dialogue, cooperation with our Ukrainian partners. The situation cannot be resolved in another way,” the director of the department said. The Foreign Ministry hopes the issue will be addressed within the next ten days.

The decision of Ukraine's ministerial commission for international trade to include a special duty on the import of a number of commodities from Belarus has already taken effect. The goods include confectionary, dairy products, incandescent electric lamps, fertilizers and refrigerators. The 55.29% special customs duty will be in place till 31 December 2016 inclusively. Besides, a special duty is also introduced on the import of Belarusian tires, malt beer and component parts for refrigerating equipment. The size of the duty is 60.05% of the customs commodity cost.

The decisions in fact make the supplies of the abovementioned Belarusian commodities to Ukraine economically inadvisable. Belarus that introduced the licensing of the import of beer, some types of macaroni and confectionery products as well as cement, sheet polished glass and glassware cannot view such actions as adequate. First of all, licensing is a temporary measure. Secondly, it was aimed at a number of countries, not just Ukraine. And finally the Belarusian government annulled licensing on the supplies of goods from the countries making the free trade zone agreement, including Ukraine.

The licensing of the supplies of the abovementioned goods will stay in place if restrictive measures are introduced in respect to Belarusian products. “In this way we are showing that we have no restrictions, but if Ukraine keeps its decisions we will review our position,” Igor Nazaruk said. He stressed that Belarusian experts are ready for more consultations to seek out a decision which will satisfy both the parties.



 

BelTA