MINSK, 5 October (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia will always be able to find a compromise in the course of ongoing negotiations and contacts on hydrocarbon resources and, in particular, on deliveries of natural gas. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko made the statement as he commented on the latest meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich in Moscow, BelTA has learned.
Vladimir Semashko said: “We met, prepared a working protocol, and defined the dates clearly. Some steps are to be taken by 15 October. Some steps have already been taken. Our preparing a long-term policy is the key matter.”
Vladimir Semashko reminded that Belarus and Russia signed a package of documents on oil and natural gas supplies in April 2017. Among other things the package of documents has helped resolve all the questions concerning the terms of supplying 24 million tonnes of Russian oil to Belarus every year through 2024. “As far as natural gas is concerned, we've unfortunately come to terms only for the period of 2017-2019,” explained Vladimir Semashko. “This is why we have to accomplish two things. First, we need to work out a document by the end of the year to stipulate terms and the algorithm for delivering natural gas to Belarus in 2020-2024. After that, we will tackle a more difficult task. Within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union we have to bring about a common market of natural gas and oil by 1 January 2025. This is why we should put together a document, which will lie at the heart of this common market.”
Vladimir Semashko noted that the Belarusian and Russian sides demonstrate mutual understanding and rapprochement. “Not everything goes the way one side or the other one may wish but we always find a compromise. We will find one,” stressed the official.
“Prices no longer matter that much. The market is changing. It would be more correct to talk about the pricing formula and approaches to pricing. It is the key matter,” concluded the deputy prime minister of Belarus.
