Belarusian-Russian agreements on oil and gas supplies to Belarus in 2011 are still valid. This was announced by Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov on December 7. "The Russian side has still been holding terms of the contract," the Russian diplomat said.
«It is understandable that the Belarusian side strives to get Russian hydrocarbons cheaper, but we should act in compliance with the conditions of bilateral agreements. If the official Minsk adheres to the terms of the contract, there will no problems with the Russian gas or oil delivery either in the New Year Eve, nor in 2011, «IA»REGNUM-Belarus» quoted Alexander Surikov.
At the same time, further elaboration of agreements on creation of the Single Economic Space (CES) is underway, where the Belarusian side will be able to reduce the price of hydrocarbon supplies to the republic. Alexander Surikov focused on the fact that the signing and ratification of the CES documants «could dismantle the oil duties, removing them from the total amount of oil.»
Currently, according to the diplomat, the conditions of Russian oil deliveries to Belarus are clearly defined and documented: «We have a protocol in the oil industry, both sides commited to; so it’s still valid for 2011.»
Alexander Surikov noted that issues of Russian gas supply to Belarus are similarly approached. «There is a gas supply contract for 2011, the terms of which Russia intends to hold,» Russian diplomat said, adding that «both sides are working on the equal gas prices strategy for 2015.»
