Mishustin links Russia’s energy supplies to Belarus with execution of integration roadmaps
<p> MINSK, Jul 22 - PrimePress. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin links the terms of future energy supplies to Belarus with the implementation of the roadmaps for Belarus-Russia greater integration within the Union State. He spoke about this during the government’s report to the State Duma of the Russian Federation on July 22. </p> <p> </p> <p> “I am firmly convinced that the Union Treaty has a great potential. I believe that we did a great job when developing the integration roadmaps in all areas of interaction with Belarus,” said Mishustin. </p> <p> </p> <p> “I believe that if we create a single space using these roadmaps and adopt a single tax code, possibly, with some reservations, when we unify our rates and approaches, we will talk about energy pricing, as our Belarusian partners suggest. We have conveyed our proposals, outlined our position,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, the governments of Belarus and Russia initialed in September 2019 a program to step up integration within the Union State, and approved a list of 31 roadmaps that were expected to be drafted and adopted by November. Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin were going to approve the entire package of integration documents on December 8, 2019 during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Union State, but never did. According to Belarus, the parties failed to reach accessory agreements on prices for Russian energy commodities, compensation for Belarus’ losses from the tax maneuver in the Russian oil sector, and lifting of restrictions on the Russian market for Belarusian exports. President Lukashenko refused to endorse the roadmaps unless these fundamental economic issues are resolved. </p> <p> </p> <p> Ambassador of Belarus to the Russian Federation Vladimir Semashko said on June 4, 2020 that the parties did not achieve real progress in energy talks, did not remove trade barriers and did not provide equal economic conditions and guarantees to business entities of Belarus and Russia, and this was reason why the roadmaps were not approved. </p> <p> </p> <p> Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich said on July 17 that the talks with Gazprom on a “competitive” gas price in 2020-2021 were in progress. The price of Russian gas for Belarus in 2020 was set at $127 per 1,000 cubic meters. </p> <p> </p> <p> The negotiations are impeded by the dispute over Belarus’ debt for supplied gas. According to Gazprom, it totaled $165.6 million as of late May 2020. Russian Interfax news agency reported that this amount had grown to $273 million by mid-July. The Energy Ministry of Belarus denies the debt, saying that there is only disagreement between business entities regarding gas pricing, and that the calorific value of gas should be factored in. Gazprom said in early June that Russia would not revise the gas price for Belarus in 2020, and confirmed its willingness to negotiate supplies in 2021, provided that Belarus meets the terms of the contract in force. End </p>
2020-07-23
Primepress
Mishustin links Russia’s energy supplies to Belarus with execution of integration roadmaps
MINSK, Jul 22 - PrimePress. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin links the terms of future energy supplies to Belarus with the implementation of the roadmaps for Belarus-Russia greater integration within the Union State. He spoke about this during the government’s report to the State Duma of the Russian Federation on July 22.
“I am firmly convinced that the Union Treaty has a great potential. I believe that we did a great job when developing the integration roadmaps in all areas of interaction with Belarus,” said Mishustin.
“I believe that if we create a single space using these roadmaps and adopt a single tax code, possibly, with some reservations, when we unify our rates and approaches, we will talk about energy pricing, as our Belarusian partners suggest. We have conveyed our proposals, outlined our position,” he said.
As previously reported, the governments of Belarus and Russia initialed in September 2019 a program to step up integration within the Union State, and approved a list of 31 roadmaps that were expected to be drafted and adopted by November. Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin were going to approve the entire package of integration documents on December 8, 2019 during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Union State, but never did. According to Belarus, the parties failed to reach accessory agreements on prices for Russian energy commodities, compensation for Belarus’ losses from the tax maneuver in the Russian oil sector, and lifting of restrictions on the Russian market for Belarusian exports. President Lukashenko refused to endorse the roadmaps unless these fundamental economic issues are resolved.
Ambassador of Belarus to the Russian Federation Vladimir Semashko said on June 4, 2020 that the parties did not achieve real progress in energy talks, did not remove trade barriers and did not provide equal economic conditions and guarantees to business entities of Belarus and Russia, and this was reason why the roadmaps were not approved.
Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich said on July 17 that the talks with Gazprom on a “competitive” gas price in 2020-2021 were in progress. The price of Russian gas for Belarus in 2020 was set at $127 per 1,000 cubic meters.
The negotiations are impeded by the dispute over Belarus’ debt for supplied gas. According to Gazprom, it totaled $165.6 million as of late May 2020. Russian Interfax news agency reported that this amount had grown to $273 million by mid-July. The Energy Ministry of Belarus denies the debt, saying that there is only disagreement between business entities regarding gas pricing, and that the calorific value of gas should be factored in. Gazprom said in early June that Russia would not revise the gas price for Belarus in 2020, and confirmed its willingness to negotiate supplies in 2021, provided that Belarus meets the terms of the contract in force. End