Sidorski to meet with Putin: payments in Russian rubles on agenda

The Council of Ministers of Russia–Belarus “union state” is to take place in Moscow today.

The council, which is to discuss the so called plan of joint anti-crisis efforts of the two countries, will be chaired by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin and Belarusian prime minister Uladzimir Sidorski.

Prime minister Sidorski met with Alexei Kudrin, vice premier–minister of finance of Russia, in Moscow yesterday.

As the press service of the Russian Ministry of Finance informs, it was agreed at the meeting to take concerted actions on expanding using of the Russian ruble in settlement of foreign trade transaction.

Besides, possible unification of regulatory legal acts in sector of exchange control and regulations was also discussed.

The Belarusian party was represented by vice premier Andrei Kabyakou, minister of finance Andrei Kharkavets, minister of economy Mikalai Zaichanka, and Chairman of the Board of the National Bank Pyotr Prakapovich.

It should be reminded that a session of the Supreme State Council of the so called union state with Dmitry Medvedev and Alyaksandr Lukashenka will take place in Kremlin on February 3. According to Belarusian officials, new Russian gas prices for Belarus will be defined at the session.