Russia accuses Belarus of trade and economic agreement violation

Russia-Belarus meetings dedicated to discussion of import of Russian cigarettes in our country have taken place in Moscow. Belarusian representatives claimed they were going to introduce the institution of a special importer whose functions would be carried out by one of state enterprises on the basis of a monopoly.

Russia replied that introduction of a state monopoly instead of import quotas for cigarettes did not correspond to the trade and economic agreement between Belarus and Russia.

According to Moscow, Belarus is afraid of competition in the sphere of cheap and average cigarettes and is introducing a special importer because of that. Belarus claims that the introduction of a special importer will broaden the possibilities of Russian producers.