Ministry for Foreign Affairs to launch an investigation on repayment of wood tariffs

Press release 235/2008
27 June, 2008

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has requested that the other ministries give their comments on the possible use of State funds for repayment to industry of Russian wood tariffs and the transit fee on transports to Russia possibly associated with this. The other ministries should give their comments at the latest by Tuesday, 1 July.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs points out that this would be a partial repayment of tariffs that exceed the level agreed in 2004 between the EU and Russia, not State subsidy to industry. With regard to transit transport, this would be neither a tax nor a tariff; it would be a fee that, when set, would take account of all the costs and drawbacks arising from transit transport.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen will invite representatives of the ministries to discuss issues pertaining to compensation of tariffs and transit fees during the week beginning 7 July.

Additional information: Deputy Director General Pekka Säilä, tel. +358 9 1605 5503, or Head of Unit Ilkka Saarinen, tel. +358 9 1605 6327