European Parliament
Angelika Werthmann  (NI ),
in writing.
In the context of its accession to the World Trade Organization, the Russian Federation has pledged to reduce or phase out its current export duties for a list of raw materials. However, the list does not prevent the establishment of export duties on new or additional materials not included on it. Among such materials are agricultural products and seeds, tobacco, chemicals, ferrous metals and energy minerals, etcetera – all materials very important for EU. The EU has negotiated this agreement with Russia to avoid the establishment of new restrictions on export duties. Under the bilateral agreement the Russian Government is committed to doing everything possible not to introduce or increase export duties for raw materials listed in the agreement; in this way, if Russia wants to apply export duties on such products, it will consult the Commission.

