Article 3

1. In order to provide legal and economic assistance in connection with the construction and operation of the Trunk Gas Pipeline, the Russian Federation shall exempt:

(a) contractors and subcontractors directly performing the construction of the Trunk Gas Pipeline, from the following taxes as currently applicable or may become applicable in the future: property (real estate) tax, value-added tax, road fund taxes and fees and other similar taxes and fees, directly related to the construction of the Trunk Gas Pipeline within the exclusive economic zone, territorial seas and in the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as tax on profits (income) of foreign organizations directly related to the construction of the Offshore Portion of the Trunk Gas Pipeline within the exclusive economic zone of the Russian Federation (outside the 12-mile zone);

(b) organizations directly performing the maintenance and repair of the Trunk Gas Pipeline, from the following taxes as currently applicable or may become applicable in the future: property (real estate) tax, value-added tax, road fund taxes and fees and other similar taxes and fees directly related to the maintenance and repair of the Trunk Gas Pipeline, for the period through to 31 December, 2015.

2. Items of materials of technical nature, including ships, equipment, components, spare parts, and other goods (except excisable articles), intended for the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the Trunk Gas Pipeline, crossing the customs border of the Russian Federation, shall be exempted from taxes, fees, customs duties and other similar charges, except customs fees charged for customs formalities, for the period through to 31 December, 2007. In case of use of the said items not for this purpose or their subsequent sale, customs duties, taxes, fees and other similar charges shall be levied in accordance with the generally established procedure.

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	Protocol to the Agreement dated 15 December 1997 between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the...