Rada ratifies Ukraine-Belarus protocol on liberalization of international road haulage

A total of 281 MPs voted for a respective decision at a parliament meeting on Friday, November 5, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The protocol was drawn up on February 6, 2020 in Minsk in order to intensify the liberalization of international road haulage, including the exemption from international road haulage permits," the explanatory note to the law reads.

It notes that the ratification of the protocol will lead to favorable political, legal and socio-economic consequences.

The protocol provides for exemption from the permit system of non-scheduled passenger traffic and road haulage. The implementation of the protocol will provide domestic transport companies with new opportunities in carrying out their activities. In addition, Ukraine will be able to attract additional freight and passenger flows, as Belarusian transport companies will be able to perform transportation to Ukraine without permits as well.

According to the explanatory note, the absence of barriers in the form of a permit system will be a prerequisite for increasing trade between Ukraine and Belarus, and unimpeded transit is currently essential for a number of EU countries due to restrictions on transit across Poland.

In addition, the exemption from permits for non-scheduled passenger traffic will help attract additional passenger flows, which will only increase every year.

Also, the protocol will regulate the issue of increasing the length of stay of bus crew members engaged in scheduled passenger transportation and truck drivers engaged in international road haulage if they have supporting documents.

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