Minsk should start repaying gas debt to Gazprom in order break stalemate in talks on terms of Russian gas supply to Belarus in 2021
<p> MINSK, Jul 2 - PrimePress. Negotiations on the terms of Russian gas supply to Belarus in 2021 will become easier once the Belarusian side starts repaying its debt for 2020 gas supplies, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said in an online interview on July 1. </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.” </p> <p> </p> <p> According to the diplomat, Russia confirms that as soon as Minsk starts making payments to cover the debt, it will be much easier to start discussing next year’s price of gas. </p> <p> </p> <p> Ambassador Mezentsev also informed that “a few hours ago”, Belarusian Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich met with the head of the Ministry of Energy of Russia Alexander Novak and head of Gazprom Alexei Miller. “This conversation, of course, concerned the current agenda,” said Mezentsev. </p> <p> </p> <p> Russian Ambassador in Minsk stressed the need to comply with the current contract. “The agreement has been signed, and it must be complied with. Yes, indeed, the situation on foreign markets is changing. Yes, the gas price is tied to the oil price and is subject to fluctuations. But in the strategic, long-term plan these fluctuations, in fact, are erased, because short-term contracts may show a completely different price, but these are contracts of a week or two, month, completely different volumes than the national economy and the economy of Belarus require,” he explained. </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”. End </p>
2020-07-03
Primepress
MINSK, Jul 2 - PrimePress. Negotiations on the terms of Russian gas supply to Belarus in 2021 will become easier once the Belarusian side starts repaying its debt for 2020 gas supplies, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev said in an online interview on July 1.
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.”
According to the diplomat, Russia confirms that as soon as Minsk starts making payments to cover the debt, it will be much easier to start discussing next year’s price of gas.
Ambassador Mezentsev also informed that “a few hours ago”, Belarusian Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich met with the head of the Ministry of Energy of Russia Alexander Novak and head of Gazprom Alexei Miller. “This conversation, of course, concerned the current agenda,” said Mezentsev.
Russian Ambassador in Minsk stressed the need to comply with the current contract. “The agreement has been signed, and it must be complied with. Yes, indeed, the situation on foreign markets is changing. Yes, the gas price is tied to the oil price and is subject to fluctuations. But in the strategic, long-term plan these fluctuations, in fact, are erased, because short-term contracts may show a completely different price, but these are contracts of a week or two, month, completely different volumes than the national economy and the economy of Belarus require,” he explained.
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”. End