Thursday, January 20, Minsk and Moscow didn't come to an agreement on the price of oil deliveries to Belarus in 2011. This issue was to be solved at the level of Heads of Government of Belarus Mikhail Miasnikovich and Vladimir Putin. According to the Belarusian Prime Minister, after a conversation with Vladimir Putin, the Belarusian side proposed to continue resolving the outstanding issues of fuel and energy complex in the coming days.
In turn, the head of the Russian government announced that Belarus would receive subsidies from Russia in the volume of $4.124 billion in duty-free oil supplies. «We will strive to make the volume of the Belarusian economy subsidizing in the oil sector close to the amount similar to that Belarus received in 2007-2009 before the introduction of export duties on crude oil (for deliveries from Russia to Belarus). This sum amounts to $4.124 billion. There are certain issues with the calculations, but we have confirmed our position,» said Vladimir Putin, RIA «Novosti» news agency.
In addition, according to the source of the Belarusian delegation, which took part in negotiations between governments, Russian oil deliveries to Belarus will be resumed next week, BelTA informs.
Moscow Ready to Render Assistance in Gas Supply to Minsk, when Needed, Putin
In addition, the Russian Prime Minister said that Russia was ready, if necessary, to provide state support to Belarus in matters of gas deliveries. «We have agreed that, if needed, the Russian side is ready to assist the Belarusian government in matters of gas deliveries to avoid these supplies being burdensome for Belarus,» said Vladimir Putin.
However, the Russian Prime Minister reiterated the position of the Russian side that this year’s gas supplies to Belarus would be implemented in accordance with the contract. «At the same time we are now ready to start negotiations on the terms of Russian gas deliveries to Belarus in 2012,» said the Prime Minister of Russia.
In turn, Mikhail Miasnikovich noted that the formula for calculating the gas in 2012 was practically defined during the negotiations. «There is a corresponding formula to reach equal prices,» said the Belarusian Prime Minister, expressing hope that the Russian side would ensure the competitiveness of the Belarusian economy.
