MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – No progress has been reached yet in the talks with Russia on oil and gas deliveries to Belarus, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the meeting with the members of the public, representatives of the Belarusian and foreign mass media on 3 February, BelTA has learned.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the governments of Belarus and Russia are working in this direction. “We have not been able to reach an agreement yet. They are footdragging: one day they agree to work in the old way. The next day they change their mind saying that their bosses have not agreed,” the President stressed.
In his words, Belarus and Russia used the netback pricing method in the oil and gas sector. With world oil prices being high, gas was expensive too. “Belarus paid that price,” the head of state stressed. Then the prices for oil reduced. So did prices for gas. The earlier agreed price was $132.77 per 1000 cubic meters. Now, according to the formula, it should be $83-82 for Belarus. However, Russia does not want to sell gas at such a price, saying that the previous price was the lowest ever. Alexander Lukashenko views this position as illogic, since the parties have agreements which they should abide.
The head of state also stated that the oil and gas dispute can lead to escalation of tensions in many areas. “We see this happen already. For example, we now have border controls back,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
