Belarus Prime Minister to Discuss Single Currency in Moscow Tomorrow

Belarussian Prime Minister Gennady Novitsky will arrive in Moscow tomorrow on a working visit. According to Belarussian Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Grigoriev, Novitsky intends to use a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to discuss the progress of preparations for introducing a single currency for the two countries.

The ambassador said that the two sides will discuss the principles according to which the Russian-Belarussian mint will work, adding that 'its work should be underpinned by a consensus.' The prime ministers will also examine possible ways of evening the trade balance between their two countries. Grigoriev believes that it would be right to ask Russia to provide Belarus with certain privileges to 'increase purchases of Belarussian products, including purchases for the needs of Russian administrative bodies at various levels of government.' Grigoriev also said that the prime ministers would discuss a value-added tax on bilateral trade.