MINSK, 26 November (BelTA) – There is nothing discriminating about Ukrainian imports having to go through the sanitary and hygienic certification procedure in Belarus, BelTA learned from Dmitry Mironchik, Head of the Information Office, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The spokesman of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “There is no discrimination in the sanitary and hygienic evaluation of Ukrainian products. The regulation applies to manufacturers from all countries, except for those from the Eurasian Economic Union member states.” Belarus has common standards with the European Union member states and a smoothly operating system to enforce those standards.
Dmitry Mironchik stressed that it is objectively necessary for imports to go through auditing procedures for the sake of protecting the health of Belarusian consumers. “Many companies from third countries have been caught providing one kind of merchandise for the expert evaluation process and putting another kind of different quality on shop shelves,” said the spokesman.
Dmitry Mironchik pointed out that in the last few months the Ukrainian side had stepped on the rake many times, loudly announcing restrictions on Belarusian imports due to some discrimination against Ukrainian goods in Belarus. According to the official, the normal process meant to work out mutually beneficial trade terms between Belarus and Ukraine is being scandalized and is pushed into the dimension of non-professional public outcries.
“We never do such things. Suffice it to remember that when Ukraine introduced a special tax on imports due to the complicated domestic situation, Belarus took an understanding view of the neighbor's decision. Although in essence Kiev violated the international agreement on free trade,” noted Dmitry Mironchik.
The official underlined that at present there are no reasons for the Belarus government to revise its decision to introduce the sanitary and hygienic certification of foreign-made products.
“We are going to deliver the message to Ukrainian colleagues and will try to find a solution through bilateral consultations,” said Dmitry Mironchik.
“If our colleagues in Ukraine intend to put pressure on Belarus using this decision, they are making a mistake once again. It would be more productive, more useful and, at last, just neighborly to work together to raise the trade turnover,” added the Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
