Belarus continues negotiating gas price cut with Gazprom
<p> MINSK, Jul 17 - PrimePress. Minsk continues negotiating with Gazprom the possibility of cutting the price of Russian gas supplies to Belarus in 2020 and 2021, Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told reporters on Friday. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The question remains, the negotiations [with Gazprom] continue. Negotiations on pricing continue in this situation and they cover 2021. And they will go on," Karankevich said. </p> <p> </p> <p> At the same time the minister would not answer the question as to what level Belarus would like to reduce the price of Russian natural gas. In his words, “this is a matter of negotiations”. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The gas pricing issues are under discussion, the idea is that this price should be competitive and, above all, for our business entities. The negotiations are not over. The question for 2021 is still open,” said Karankevich. </p> <p> </p> <p> Commenting on the Belarusian-Russian dispute over the caloric value of gas, the minister said that this topic is discussed “within the framework of economic entities”. </p> <p> </p> <p> Earlier, President Lukashenko argued that, given the global situation, the Russian gas tariff for Belarus should be at $40-45 per 1,000 cubic metres, including logistics costs. The Energy Ministry of Belarus said it would insist on a revision of the price of Russian natural gas for Belarus in 2020, defining its “correct and fair level”. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, in late May 2020, Gazprom said they were ready to begin negotiations on gas supplies to Belarus from 2021 onwards as soon as the debt issue has been resolved. According to Gazprom estimates, Belarus’ debt for gas supplies stands at $165.6 million. The Energy Ministry of Belarus said earlier there was no such debt, but there was a disagreement between business entities on determining the cost of gas “taking into account its calorific value.” End </p>
2020-07-18
Primepress
Belarus continues negotiating gas price cut with Gazprom
MINSK, Jul 17 - PrimePress. Minsk continues negotiating with Gazprom the possibility of cutting the price of Russian gas supplies to Belarus in 2020 and 2021, Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told reporters on Friday.
“The question remains, the negotiations [with Gazprom] continue. Negotiations on pricing continue in this situation and they cover 2021. And they will go on," Karankevich said.
At the same time the minister would not answer the question as to what level Belarus would like to reduce the price of Russian natural gas. In his words, “this is a matter of negotiations”.
“The gas pricing issues are under discussion, the idea is that this price should be competitive and, above all, for our business entities. The negotiations are not over. The question for 2021 is still open,” said Karankevich.
Commenting on the Belarusian-Russian dispute over the caloric value of gas, the minister said that this topic is discussed “within the framework of economic entities”.
Earlier, President Lukashenko argued that, given the global situation, the Russian gas tariff for Belarus should be at $40-45 per 1,000 cubic metres, including logistics costs. The Energy Ministry of Belarus said it would insist on a revision of the price of Russian natural gas for Belarus in 2020, defining its “correct and fair level”.
As previously reported, in late May 2020, Gazprom said they were ready to begin negotiations on gas supplies to Belarus from 2021 onwards as soon as the debt issue has been resolved. According to Gazprom estimates, Belarus’ debt for gas supplies stands at $165.6 million. The Energy Ministry of Belarus said earlier there was no such debt, but there was a disagreement between business entities on determining the cost of gas “taking into account its calorific value.” End