MINSK, 15 January (BelTA) – Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei met with Azerbaijan Ambassador Latif Gandilov on 15 January, BelTA learned from the press service of Belarus' Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The issues of bilateral cooperation, including the economic ties, were discussed during the meeting,” the press service said.
The details of the discussion have not been revealed though the cooperation with Azerbaijan in terms of alternative oil supplies was discussed the other day.
The government continues to draw up plans for alternative oil supplies and is considering all possible options. “We haveve sent the relevant commercial offers. All the commercial departments of our refineries, of Belarusian Oil Company conduct negotiations virtually every day. I think we will be able to secure alternative ways of delivering specific oil soon. All possible countries, including Ukraine, Poland, Baltic states, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan. We are working on it,” Belarus' First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Krutoi told a press conference. Later on, mass media reported that Azerbaijan is willing to supply oil to Belarus, and this issue has been discussed but the final decision still has not been made.
Earlier the Azerbaijan ambassador told BelTA that his country is ready to help Belarus with oil supplies whenever needed. However, the difficulty of transporting oil to Belarus from Azerbaijan needs to be taken into account. Belarus should look for the most convenient options that will not lead to a considerable upsurge in energy costs.
