MINSK, 5 November (BelTA) – It is too early to talk about introducing a single currency in the Union State of Belarus and Russia, State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota told journalists on 5 November, BelTA has learned.
Grigory Rapota pointed out that a number of conditions should be created before introducing a single currency. These are about the harmonization of antimonopoly laws, currency convertibility, taxation policy, exceptions in the taxation policy, and other matters. “None of these conditions are fully in place today. Until all these conditions are present, a single currency arrangement will be premature,” Grigory Rapota stressed.
He believes that introduction of a single currency is the most difficult stage in the development of unions. “We are working on this. There are some plans regarding this matter, but they are not on the agenda for the time being,” Grigory Rapota added.
As for the use of national currencies in mutual payments between Belarus and Russia, Grigory Rapota noted that significant progress has been achieved in this area. However, we still have to work harder to promote the use of national currencies in the payment for energy supplies, he said. In his words, the Belarusian and Russian banks are in talks about this matter.
