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Belarus, Russia still at odds over air traffic

The document about the results of the talks has not been signed as delegations continue preparations for its signing on March 30

MINSK, March 30 (Itar-Tass) — Belarus and Russia failed on Thursday to resolve the dispute over air traffic between their respective capital cities and the head of the Belarussian national Belavia Airline said no agreement had been signed so far.

“The document about the results of the talks has not been signed as delegations continue preparations for its signing on March 30. I do not know why the Russian transport ministry published such news,” Igor Cherginets told Belta news agency.

The Russian transport ministry reported on Thursday the parties agreed to extend the existing flight regulations up to May 10.

The conflict between Russia and Belarus, which form a Union State and are members of the Customs Union, erupted on Monday when flights between Moscow and Minsk were suspended for several hours.

Russia revoked flying permission from Belavia while Belarus responded by a similar sanction against Russian airlines.

Cherginets said Russia wants to lift restrictions on the sortie rate, on the number of designated airlines, as well as on capacity.

According to existing agreements, flights between Moscow and Minsk go on a parity basis. Belarussian aviation authorities described “the conditions dictated by the Russian side as unacceptable.”

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