MINSK, 17 May (BelTA) – Belarus will insist on zero customs duties on oil and oil products in the Customs Union at the next meeting of heads of government of the Customs Union member-states in Saint Petersburg, the press service of the Belarus President quoted Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky as saying to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 17 May. Alexander Lukashenko was informed that a meeting of prime ministers of the CIS states will take place in Saint Petersburg on 21 May as part of the session of the CIS Heads of Government Council and two sessions of the EurAsEC Interstate Council involving the heads of government. The Belarus President was informed about the agreements that had been prepared for signing by the heads of government in accordance with the instructions the heads of state gave at a meeting within the framework of EurAsEC and the Customs Union. The documents Belarus had been charged with preparing have been agreed by experts and are ready for signing. There are also several matters regarding which Belarus intends to defend its views, primarily the non-enforcement or removal of restrictions from free trade in the Customs Union, in particular, customs duties on oil and oil products. During the working meeting the President gave instructions regarding the terms of import of cars by individuals to Belarus in conditions of the Customs Union. Belarus intends to have as much of its interests as possible taken into account. In essence the customs duties should be preserved or adjusted to suit all the three countries. Kazakhstan supports Belarus’ view in negotiations on this matter, said the Prime Minister. In addition, several matters regarding the operation of free economic zones will be discussed. Such zones exist in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. While Belarus and Russia have highly effective technological zones, Russia and Kazakhstan have also free economic zones for primary goods. This is why the sides should adjust their views on this matter as much as possible.

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