Russia is ready to examine a proposal made by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, on the transfer of controlling stakes of Beltransgaz and Mozyr oil refinery to the Russian party. However, according to the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shmatko, such issues should be resolved at the level of general strategy of the Common Economic Space.
The head of Russian Energy Ministry said that 51% of Beltransgaz’s shares do not solve all problems, because the main difficulties are related to concern’s corporate management as well as the fact that some part of profit was taken by Belarusian side to implement investment projects. However, Sergei Shmatko considered Belarusian leader’s proposal as «interesting» and said that it «can be discussed», ITAR-TASS informs.
Russian minister noted that Mozyr oil refinery might not be of interest to the Russians. According to him, it is necessary to check «how profitable for Russian companies to send crude oil for refining in Belarus», as Belarusian market has high excise duties and a system of retail sales is not so attractive, Regnum-Belarus informs.
As Telegraf reported, at the meeting with students of Mogilev universities on May 27, the president declared: «Now if they (the Russians) say that they will sell gas to Belarus at domestic prices — on equal terms and at Russia’s domestic prices — we are not against it, you can take controlling stake. The same considers oil refineries.
