Business news

MOSCOW, 22 November (BelTA) – It is difficult to drop roaming charges in calls between Belarus and Russia but it needs to be done. The statement was made by State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Grigory Rapota on the sidelines of the expert and media forum held in Moscow on 22 November to discuss humanitarian partnership in the Union State, BelTA has learned.

Grigory Rapota noted that the Belarusian and Russian governments had made the relevant decision in favor of dropping roaming charges. The communication ministries of the two countries are now working to implement it.

“We have contacted the communication ministries. We drew their attention to the fact that the presidents had given the relevant instructions, this is why it has to be done,” noted Grigory Rapota. “The initial exchange of opinions about the matter at the level of the ministries and the level of experts demonstrated that it is a difficult matter. It involves economic interests of real market players. Nevertheless, the European Union has managed to drop roaming charges for domestic calls. It has not been fully implemented but the experience is rather interesting. This experience will have to be taken into account or possibly the experience of some other countries and organizations.”

Grigory Rapota added that work to drop roaming charges is in progress. The matter will be raised during the session of the Council of Ministers of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Gomel in December.