Russian Premier concerned with foreign trade balance deficit

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov thinks that the tendency towards deficit of foreign trade balance in Russia gives reasons for concern.

A RIA Novosti correspondent reports that while speaking at a session of the Interstate Council of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEc) in Astana, the premier noted that the rate of import growth was seven percent. At the same time, he said, Russian export has dropped as the price situation has changed.

"The situation is not critical, but makes the Russian Government feel concerned," Kasyanov stressed.

In his words, the fall in trade in the CIS has put the issue at the forefront of the forum's agenda. "We should analyse the reasons that caused the fall in trade and export and take a number of measures to stabilise the situation," the Russian premier said in conclusion.

The Russian Prime Minister is taking part in a session of the Intergovernmental Council of EurAsEc, the members of which are Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Russia and Tajikistan. The session is being held at the level of heads of government. Economic situations in the CIS countries and problems that can be resolved through joint efforts are in the focus of the session.