KIEV, March 14 – Ukraine’s energy and coal industry ministry, citing turmoil in Northern Africa and rising crude oil prices, withdrew its support for duties on imports of gasoline and diesel fuel.

The government planned to decide by March 15 whether the duties must be introduced, but Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boyko - who earlier pushed for the duties - said “the issue is not on agenda.”

“Today is not time for introducing the duties because we have a strained situation due to the crisis in Northern Africa,” Boyko said in an interview with Channel 5 television late Sunday. “That’s why this issue is not on agenda today.”