Russia may decrease gas price for Belarus in 2012. This was announced by First Vice-Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko at the final board of the Ministry of Industry on February 10. ", possibly, Gas prices will be a little "frozen" from January 1, 2012 and it might even be possible to lower prices more with certain approaches," he said.
Deputy Head of the Belarusian government also announced that he would soon meet with the head of the Russian gas holding, Aleksei Miller, to discuss these issues, BelTA informs.
«On Tuesday we will discuss certain approaches, formula and price-making for 2012 with Miller,» said Vladimir Semashko, noting that «in this connection one can expect suspension or reduction of gas price from January 1, 2012.»
Energy Tariffs Not to Rise in the Next Few Years, Semashko
In addition, Vladimir Semashko expects the suspension of rising energy prices for industry. «We’ve raised energy tariffs by 10-15% since January 1, 2011, but I beg you to be patient: I think it will, probably, be the last increase in the next few years,» said the First Deputy Prime Minister.
According to the deputy head of government, such assurance is explained by two important factors. The first one is 17 adopted basic documents on creation of CES, of which two agreements relate to a single oil market and operation of natural gas monopolies.
«From now on oil and petroleum products will be supplied to Belarus duty free and without any quota, Vladimir Semashko said. — So, the situation is now much better than it used to be in 2010. Nevertheless, oil refining hasn’t been stopped at the Belarusian refineries. The current situation is better; we have not taken even a single drop of oil from Russia in January, but the refineries worked. «
The second important factor, according to Vladimir Semashko, is » access to equal gas prices in 2012 — 2015, encouraging for the suspension of gas prices’ growth.» «In accordance with the CES agreement, the parties pledged to reach equal profits in pricing. It means that profit margins on gas will be the same either in Russia, or in Belarus, Ukraine and Germany. By 2015, the Customs Union countries will come to the same price both in Minsk and in Smolensk,» said the First Deputy Prime Minister.
«So let’s take a little patience. As soon as we reach the principle of equal profits, we’ll get the result,» said Vladimir Semashko.
Also, Vladimir Semashko noted that the work to part from cross-subsidization would be in the current five-year plan. «We have gone too far with the cross-subsidization and must leave it,» Vladimir Semashko said, adding that «this will remove the burden from industry.»
Another important factor in improving the competitiveness of the Belarusian economy, according to the First Deputy Prime Minister, is the Belarusian energy system’s upgrade. Start-up of new highly efficient units at the Belarusian power stations will provide cheaper electricity.
As Telegraf previously reported, a spokesman for Gazprom Sergei Kupriyanov said that there were no agreements on the reduction of gas prices for Belarus in 2011. Nevertheless, Sergei Kupriyanov said that the current contract would allow the parties to avoid problems with gas in the beginning of the year.
