MINSK, 20 July (BelTA) - The participants of the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Minsk found solutions to some problems, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) Mikhail Myasnikovich said in an interview with the Belarus 1 TV channel on 19 July, BelTA has learned.
When asked whether the participants of the Eurasian summit could find solutions to the controversial issues, Mikhail Myasnikovich said: “I am very glad that we approached all issues thoroughly. We not just held a meeting, listened to each other and went home. We found acceptable solutions. Although it was very difficult.”
According to him, Russia decided to introduce dairy labeling from 20 January 2021. “All dairy products that are exported to Russia must be labeled with special codes, otherwise they will be illegal. Therefore, we discussed ways to make sure that dairy goods will not be stopped at the border in Smolensk Oblast. We have agreed on a transition period that would enable us to optimize the solutions to make sure dairy goods are legal on the Russian market,” Mikhail Myasnikovich noted.
As for industrial products, Russia adopted Resolution No.616 of 30 April 2020, which effectively restricts the access of industrial goods from Belarus, Kazakhstan and other states to the Russian market. “According to the document, a fairly large amount of added value in the goods that enter the market should be created in Russia. We have agreed to include into localization or added value not only the goods made in Russia but also those produced in other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). I think it is a very good decision,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
Speaking on the resolution of various sticking points, Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed that his mission as the Chairman of the EEC Board is to be proactive. “We have initiated setting up a special committee to look into moot points. The countries will always support domestic producers, defending the interests of their state. This is the right thing to do. However, this should not harm the partners in the Eurasian Economic Union,” he added.
Mentioning the EAEU development strategy through 2025, Mikhail Myasnikovich said that the document will be ready by the autumn. According to him, at the summit on 19 May the heads of state agreed on all but one matter, which was crucial for Belarus and Armenia, namely gas pumping tariffs. The parties have not built a consensus yet. “On Monday, 20 July, all the vice premiers are set to meet in Moscow to look into every article of the document before submitting it to the prime ministers and later to the heads of state in November. I do not rule out that one or two issues will have to be considered at the highest level,” the chairman of the EEC Board said.
In his words, the parties are currently working on an international agreement on the common gas market, transit and transit tariffs. The document is to take effect on 1 January 2025. “The main thing is to exclude the discriminating approach,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.