RUSSIA AND BELARUS ARE JOINTLY DEVELOPING DIESEL ENGINES TO MEET EUROPEAN NORMS

MOSCOW, February 12, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - The Russian-Byelorussian joint programme for the development of diesel-powered vehicles, which was recently adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Russian-Byelorussian Union State, has been called "a document of a tremendous importance." This programme is of a defence, economic and social importance," said Thursday the head of the Russian-Byelorussian automobile association, Belrosavto, Oleg Danilov.

According to him, this programme also concerns army vehicles, because "the army will not use foreign automobiles." Oleg Danilov said that 100,000 people in both countries were working in this industry.

The programme provides for the development of engines with the Euro-3 characteristics till 2008, and also R&D works for the development of engines with Euro-4 characteristics after 2008. The previous similar joint programme was completed in 2002 and resulted in the creation of an engine with the Euro-2 characteristics.

The Belrosavto association unites a motor-works in the Byelorussian capital of Minsk, two Russian motor-works producing heavy lorries, a group of engine plants in Yaroslavl (Russia) and specialised research institutes in both countries.