OREANDA-NEWS. June 23, 2008. Belarus and Russia should gradually lift transport restrictions, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky said as he met with Russia’s Transport Minister Igor Levitin in Minsk on June 23. The Prime Minister remarked, transport authorities of Belarus and Russia are now working hard to put together specific documents able to advance economic entities of the two states to new relations. In 2007 Belarus-Russia transport turnover increased by 120%. 245,000 Russian vehicles travelled through Belarus, specified the Prime Minister.

Transport policy of Belarus and Russia will be discussed at the forthcoming session of the Union State Council of Ministers in Moscow on June 27, said Sergei Sidorsky. The sides will also talk over the development of transport infrastructure as well as other topical issues the transport authorities of the two countries want addressed.

According to the Prime Minister, collaboration of transport authorities of Belarus and Russia allows advancing forward and resolving transit issues. In 2008 Belarus ratified an agreement to simplify all transport procedures. Belarus is also in favour of removing transport control and putting it to the external border of the Union State. “It will allow abandoning cargo escort,” said Sergei Sidorsky. He specified, it had been him who had unearthed the issue and had discussed it with the former Russian Premier.

In turn, Igor Levitin remarked, Belarusian and Russian transport authorities strive to make border crossing easier for truckers. In 2007 cargo transportation volume skyrocketed as well as the freight costs, which means transport companies started earning more. At present the sides are working on harmonising the tariff policy concerning cargo transportation.