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Russia, Belarus to discuss resumption of Moscow-Minsk air traffic

On March 26, the air traffic was disrupted between the capitals of the countries over the disagreements on the number of flights

MINSK, April 9 (Itar-Tass) —— The resumption of the air traffic between Moscow and Minsk is high on the agenda of the negotiations, which will be held at the level of representatives of departments of the Transport Ministries of Russia and Belarus here on Monday.

Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin voiced hope that Minsk and Moscow “will be able to reach a mutually acceptable solution in interests of the air passengers of the countries.” The Belarusian government also believes that the countries can settle the disagreements, which emerged in the air traffic between the capitals. “I believe that we will settle this problem and will reach a mutually acceptable compromise and will find a mutually acceptable solution to the problems,” Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Kalinin said.

The deputy prime minister confirmed that the delegation of the Russian Transport Ministry will arrive in Minsk and the negotiations will be held at the level of the departments of the Transport Ministries. Deputy Transport Minister Valery Okulov and head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Alexander Neradko will head the Russian delegation. Kalinin did not rule out that the final decision will be made at a meeting in the Belarusian government.

On March 26, the air traffic was disrupted between the capitals of the countries over the disagreements on the number of flights. Belavia Deputy Director Igor Cherginets told an urgent press conference that the problem emerged “over the Russian intentions to violate the parity and make five daily flights instead of four flights.” On the same day the sides reached a temporary agreement to resume the air traffic. On March 29, the negotiations began in Moscow. Meanwhile, Belarus agreed on a compromise, giving temporary permissions for five daily flights, but insisted on the parity conditions for flights. The situation has deteriorated again on April 5, when Belavia was informed that the Russian Transport Ministry revoked the previous permissions for flights to Russian regions starting from April 13. Belarus, which believes that this decision of Russian aviation authorities is unlawful and violates the intergovernmental agreement on air traffic and cooperation in air transport, stated that the country will challenge it in the Economic Court of the Common Economic Space.

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