Medvedev ratifies customs accords with Abkhazia, South Ossetia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed laws on ratifying customs cooperation agreements with the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Kremlin press office reported on Sunday, RIA Novosti informs.

The laws were adopted by the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, on November 2, and approved by the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia's parliament, on November 9, 2011.

The agreements aim to intensify cooperation between Russia and the former Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in customs control and the fight against smuggling, the facilitation of passenger and freight carriages and customs payments in full, and ensure compliance with bans and restrictions on the movement of goods across the border in accordance with the legislations of these countries.