Ambassador: Belarus ready to resume negotiations on deeper integration with Russia in Sep-Oct
<p> MINSK, Jun 4 - PrimePress. Belarus is ready to resume the negotiation process to discuss the terms and prospects of deepening integration with Russia in September-October 2020. Vladimir Semashko, Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia, made a statement to this effect during the expert session “Russia and Belarus: The future after the pandemic,” reported the press service of the Belarusian embassy in Moscow. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko proposed to adopt an integration program by December 8, 2019, the 12th anniversary of the Union State Treaty. The prime ministers initialled the integration program on September 6 and approved a list of 31 roadmaps in various fields. Their drafts were to be prepared by November. In November, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas announced that Belarus and Russia had prepared at least 20 integration roadmaps for signing. Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko said that the main disputes were over the price of Russian gas for Belarus in 2020 and compensation for losses resulting from the Russian tax manoeuvre in the oil sector. Lukashenko stated earlier that he would not sign the roadmaps, unless the major economy issues are resolved. This particularly concerns energy supplies, facilitated access to the Russian market for Belarusian commodities, and removal of the trade barriers. In the end, the roadmaps have never been signed. </p> <p> </p> <p> Semashko says that from 30 road maps on the further integration on 28 are completely coordinated, one – half-coordinated. One map, which concerns the single gas market and compensation for the tax maneuver, “has remained open”. “The acceptance and realization of these maps could become an essential step forward in all directions of integration. However, one of the main conditions of the Belarusian side - regulation of problematic and topical issues of bilateral cooperation - had not been met by the time the roadmaps were completed,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> According to Semashko, it was the lack of real progress on energy issues, elimination of barriers and creation of equal conditions that prevented signing the prepared package of documents. </p> <p> </p> <p> “Despite a number of commitments to ensure equal conditions and guarantees for business entities in Belarus and Russia, in practice we continue to face barriers and restrictions,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> “… machine kits, brought for assembly from Belarus, consist of more than 50% of Russian materials and components," said the ambassador. </p> <p> </p> <p> Semashko reminded that Belarus imports almost 100% of oil, gas and other raw materials. Now there is a negotiating process on the formula of the price of Russian gas. The situation with the tax maneuver has significantly changed the working conditions for the Belarusian petrochemical industry and the whole complex. He emphasizes the fact that Russia has recently banned imports of motor fuel, which also affects the Belarusian side. </p> <p> </p> <p> The ambassador also reminded that in addition to restrictions on access to public purchases Belarusian enterprises periodically find themselved engaged in meat, dairy and vegetable "wars" in the Russian market. </p> <p> </p> <p> “But then the question is what is the essence of integration? We have seen and still see the main purpose of integration in creating equal conditions for economic activity. We are openly insulted by fake statements that we are freeloaders, that we are fed for free, that we are helped in everything and so on. These are absolutely false ideas,” said Semashko. End </p>
2020-06-05
Primepress
MINSK, Jun 4 - PrimePress. Belarus is ready to resume the negotiation process to discuss the terms and prospects of deepening integration with Russia in September-October 2020. Vladimir Semashko, Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia, made a statement to this effect during the expert session “Russia and Belarus: The future after the pandemic,” reported the press service of the Belarusian embassy in Moscow.
As previously reported, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko proposed to adopt an integration program by December 8, 2019, the 12th anniversary of the Union State Treaty. The prime ministers initialled the integration program on September 6 and approved a list of 31 roadmaps in various fields. Their drafts were to be prepared by November. In November, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas announced that Belarus and Russia had prepared at least 20 integration roadmaps for signing. Belarus’ Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko said that the main disputes were over the price of Russian gas for Belarus in 2020 and compensation for losses resulting from the Russian tax manoeuvre in the oil sector. Lukashenko stated earlier that he would not sign the roadmaps, unless the major economy issues are resolved. This particularly concerns energy supplies, facilitated access to the Russian market for Belarusian commodities, and removal of the trade barriers. In the end, the roadmaps have never been signed.
Semashko says that from 30 road maps on the further integration on 28 are completely coordinated, one – half-coordinated. One map, which concerns the single gas market and compensation for the tax maneuver, “has remained open”. “The acceptance and realization of these maps could become an essential step forward in all directions of integration. However, one of the main conditions of the Belarusian side - regulation of problematic and topical issues of bilateral cooperation - had not been met by the time the roadmaps were completed,” he said.
According to Semashko, it was the lack of real progress on energy issues, elimination of barriers and creation of equal conditions that prevented signing the prepared package of documents.
“Despite a number of commitments to ensure equal conditions and guarantees for business entities in Belarus and Russia, in practice we continue to face barriers and restrictions,” he said.
“… machine kits, brought for assembly from Belarus, consist of more than 50% of Russian materials and components," said the ambassador.
Semashko reminded that Belarus imports almost 100% of oil, gas and other raw materials. Now there is a negotiating process on the formula of the price of Russian gas. The situation with the tax maneuver has significantly changed the working conditions for the Belarusian petrochemical industry and the whole complex. He emphasizes the fact that Russia has recently banned imports of motor fuel, which also affects the Belarusian side.
The ambassador also reminded that in addition to restrictions on access to public purchases Belarusian enterprises periodically find themselved engaged in meat, dairy and vegetable "wars" in the Russian market.
“But then the question is what is the essence of integration? We have seen and still see the main purpose of integration in creating equal conditions for economic activity. We are openly insulted by fake statements that we are freeloaders, that we are fed for free, that we are helped in everything and so on. These are absolutely false ideas,” said Semashko. End