20:03 Belarus, Russia agree on transit deal

The Russian government has approved a draft agreement proposed by the Russian Federal Customs Authority and preliminary agreed on with the Belarusian side on the transit of goods between the customs bodies of the two countries. The Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov on April 7 ordered the Federal Customs Authority to sign the deal on behalf of Russia after having reached agreement with Belarus.

The customs officials are allowed to amend the proposed draft if amendments do not affect the deal significantly. The sides have worked on this agreement for the past several years.

The signing of the transit agreement will help resolve several issues, including procedures to regulate the shipment of goods from Belarus to Russia.