Sergey Ivanov, the first vice premier of Russia
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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First Vice Premier Suggests Reducing Number of Border Checkpoints
Sergey Ivanov, who is the first vice premier of Russia today, but was once the country’s defense minister, suggested improving the chain of border checkpoints, including via reduction in their number.
”It is necessary to clearly determine what checkpoints we need. If we are to close anything, let’s do it, observing, of course, all procedures specified in the laws,” Ivanov pointed out.
Regardless, the first vice premier said that new checkpoints are to be launched for purposes of international communication, including, for instance, via seaports and airports, should it be economically efficient and legally relevant.
Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Evgeny Moskvichem emphasized the problems related to border checkpoints. The losses of Russia’s airlines generated when entering customs areas of basic checkpoints doubled in 2006 to more than three billion rubles, the official said. The actual time spent for control operations held in time of customs clearance of cars and cargo exceeds the time specified in the laws manifold.
On average, it takes two to four hours to check loaded vehicles, but sometimes a few days will pass before a certain car is finally cleared with the customs.
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