Belarus, Russia approve status of Union State goods

MINSK. Feb 2 (Interfax) - The Union State council of ministers of Belarus and Russia on Monday adopted the resolution "On granting Belarusian and Russian-made products the status of 'goods of the Union State'", Belarusian Industry Minister Andrei Kuznetsov said.

"A product will be considered a Union State product if at least 50% of the value comprises Belarusian or Russian components. The status is not only about image and advertising, it is a matter of protecting our common union market from other suppliers of similar products," Kuznetsov was quoted as saying by the BelTA state news agency.

"Priority should be given to products that are manufactured in the Union State, and I think that we will receive these preferences owing to this," Kuznetsov said.

BelTA reports that a decision was also reached at the meeting to establish the Union State Standardization and Quality Committee.