30 Sep 2022 10:33

Transport ministries of Belarus, Russia sign intergovernmental agreement on Belarusian cargo transit via Russia

MINSK. Sept 30 (Interfax) - An intergovernmental agreement on Belarusian cargo transit via Russia has been signed, the Belarusian Transport Ministry said on Thursday.

"An intergovernmental agreement on Belarusian cargo transit through the territory of the Russian Federation was signed at the Russian Transport Ministry today. The document opens alternate routes for exported products: cargo will be moved to third countries via both seaports and ground-based transport infrastructure. The document was signed by the Belarusian and Russian transport ministers, Alexei Avramenko and Vitaly Savelyev," the ministry said.

"We always manage to achieve significant results in the joint work of the respective ministries. This work tangibly demonstrates the level of integration within the Union State, a pillar of which is the transport sector," the Russian transport minister said, for his part.

He said he was confident that the signing of the intergovernmental agreement on the development of cargo transportation, including the transportation of mineral fertilizers, through transport corridors in Russia and Belarus would give a fresh impetus to the national economies.

"The document will allow Belarus to retain the volume of exports, to reach new markets, and to strengthen our transport cooperation," Savelyev said.

"Today we have reached a broader agreement on a rather good range of cargo, which will be further developed, and new logistic chains will be built. This is the main task the transport ministries are working to achieve. I have no doubt that the signing of this agreement will give a new boost to the development of our relations and the objectives set by our heads of state and government will be fulfilled," the Belarusian transport minister said, in turn.

The Belarusian Transport Ministry noted that the implementation of this agreement will guarantee the access of Belarusian economic entities to transportation services provided by Russian companies for reliable and smooth export deliveries.

In February 2021, the governments of Russia and Belarus signed an agreement on the transshipment of Belarusian petroleum products via Russian ports for exports to third countries.

"The successful implementation of the first agreement, the new effective routes, and the increasing capacity of the Russian port infrastructure have allowed the transport ministries of both countries to sign the new intergovernmental agreement," the Belarusian Transport Ministry said.