by
May 1 – May 7, 2017

Kremlin has resumed graduated financial and economic support for Belarus in 2017

The situation has not changed
Kremlin has resumed graduated financial and economic support for Belarus in 2017

Amid settlement of the protracted energy dispute, Minsk and Moscow have restored neutral media coverage. Moscow has resumed graduated credit and economic support for the Belarusian economy, as agreed by the Russian and Belarusian leaders. Yet the conflict potential in bilateral relations has not been exhausted and manifested through problems with access of Belarusian produces to the Russian market and poor cooperation between some potentially rival agencies.

In an article devoted to the 25th anniversary of Belarus’ independent foreign policy, Belarusian Foreign Minister Makey emphasised that cooperation problems between Belarus and Russia in trade, economic, fuel-energy, border and other spheres were often artificial.

Apparently, this year, Minsk would obtain the expected financial and economic support from Moscow. For example, the Eurasian Stabilisation and Development Fund has already transferred the third US 300 million tranche to Belarus. In addition, Belarus expects the fourth USD 300 million tranche this year and a new USD 1 billion loan agreement to be concluded. Russia has resumed the oil supply at 24 million tons per year and called off the obligation to redeliver one million ton of fuel.

Yet the conflict potential in bilateral relations has not been exhausted. For instance, Rosselkhoznadzor has banned more than ten tons of meat import to Russia lacking veterinary documents. Meanwhile, the Belarusian Agriculture Ministry and Rosselkhoznadzor have stepped up cooperation in order to remove all barriers for import of Belarusian produces to Russia.

That said, yet another tension is brewing in Russo-Belarusian relations as Russian customs have refused to accept certificates of compliance issued by other EEU states, including Belarus, when registering customs declarations. The Russian customs agency has put Russian firms authorised to issue a certification package in a more advantageous position.

Overall, Minsk has rescinded demarches and criticism of the Eurasian integration along with the accusations of non-fulfilment of allied commitments by Russia. In its turn, the Kremlin has restored graduated financial support for the Belarusian economy in the coming year.

You have been successfully subscribed

Subscribe to our newsletter

Once a week, in coordination with a group of prominent Belarusian analysts, we provide analytical commentaries on the most topical and relevant issues, including the behind-the-scenes processes occurring in Belarus. These commentaries are available in Belarusian, Russian, and English.
EN
BE/RU
Subscribe

Situation in Belarus

March 18 – March 24
View all

Subscribe to us

Read more