Russia lifts ban on Tajik airline flights

Moscow, Feb 3 (UNI) Russia has reached a temporary agreement with the former Soviet Central Asian republic of Tajikistan to lift the ban on the flights by Tajik airlines to the country.

''The restrictions have been lifted, given that all compensation payments not stipulated in an agreement on air communication between Russia and Tajikistan are cancelled before the parties hold negotiations expected in the coming two weeks,'' a spokesman for the Russian aviation authorities said today.

He told RIA Novosti that the temporary accord had been reached in the interest of passengers.

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency imposed the ban yesterday ''due to repeated violations of Russian air carriers' rights by Tajik authorities.'' In particular, Tajik authorities charged Russian airlines ''for making flights,'' the Air Transport Agency said.

UNI XC SKB AS1818