Ministry of Justice expresses its regret over the decision of the CIS Economic Court about duties on oil products

The Ministry of Justice expresses its regret at the refusal of the CIS Economic Court to grant a petition for temporary ban on export customs duties levied on Russian oil products, reads the statement posted on the official website of the Ministry.

The Ministry of Justice expresses its regret at the refusal of the CIS Economic Court to grant a petition for temporary ban on export customs duties levied on Russian oil products, reads the statement posted on the official website of the Ministry.

“The Ministry of Justice,” reads the statement of the Ministry of Justice, “took the decision with regret, as the continuing unlawful levy of customs duties on petroleum products destroys the cooperative links established between the enterprises of both countries as well as infringes upon economic interests of more than 70 Russian and Belarusian petrochemical organizations”.

The Ministry of Justice also noted that “throughout the whole process none of the petitions that were filed by the Belarusian side and which would allow the court to adjudicate qualitatively have been granted”.

On June 24^th the CIS Economic Court dismissed a petition of the Belarusian side for temporary ban on levying customs duties on petroleum products imported from Russia to Belarus until the court gives its final judgement on the merits. What is at issue is the lawsuit which Belarus’ Ministry of Justice filed with the Economic Court on March 25^th. In it Belarus asks the court to confirm the fact that Russia violates the provisions of effective international treaties on free trade and the Customs Union within the EurAsEC. The Belarusian side also requested the court to recommend Russia to abolish customs duties on petroleum products imported into Belarus.