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Russian, Belarus, Kazakh leaders discuss steps to prevent illegal food re-exports

13 August 2014 18:19 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with the Kazakh and Belarusian leaders measures to prevent re-export of banned Western food products into Russia, the Kremlin said Wednesday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"Some aspects of cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union were discussed, including coordination to prevent illegal supplies of products from a number of countries banned in line with a recent Russian government directive to Russia through Kazakhstan and Belarus," the Kremlin press office said.

The three leaders also exchanged their opinions on the formats of international efforts in assisting the soonest resolution of the Ukraine crisis, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

"The leaders also expressed their serious concern about the grave humanitarian consequences of the military operation conducted by the Kiev authorities in southeastern Ukraine. Putin informed the Kazakh and Belarus leaders about a humanitarian mission dispatched by Russia in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Ukrainian side," the press office said.

Belarusian Agriculture Minister Leonid Zayats said Wednesday that Belarus fully supports Russia's desire to protect its domestic market and would not allow re-export of banned Western food products back to Russia.

Russia announced last week a one-year ban on imports of meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables from the United States and its allies in retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's alleged role in the Ukraine crisis.