04.11.2011
Belarus, Russia close to reaching agreement on gas and oil supplies
MINSK, 4 November (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia are close to signing an agreement on gas and oil supplies, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told media.
“We have agreed on natural gas. Now negotiations on oil are underway, nearing completion. We have a small problem on premiums we pay for oil. But I think we will address these issues,” the head of state said.
Speaking of a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State scheduled for November, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the agenda will include the issues of security, defense, economy, including pricing of resources, creation of equal conditions. However, the agenda for the meeting is still being developed.
“I have repeatedly said: if equal conditions are impossible, we do not need the single economic space. We are joining it not because we want to get something cheaper. No! We need equal terms. If the product is cheap there, it is cheap here, too. If it is expensive there, it will be expensive here,” the President stressed.
In his words, Russia has finally understood that Belarus might be useful. “Not long ago they asked for assistance in the supplies of petrol. I am talking about thousands of tonnes. And, of course, we will meet Russia halfway in the issue,” the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko believes that the forthcoming meeting of the Supreme State Council will be crucial in adopting the relevant decisions.
“We have agreed on natural gas. Now negotiations on oil are underway, nearing completion. We have a small problem on premiums we pay for oil. But I think we will address these issues,” the head of state said.
Speaking of a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State scheduled for November, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the agenda will include the issues of security, defense, economy, including pricing of resources, creation of equal conditions. However, the agenda for the meeting is still being developed.
“I have repeatedly said: if equal conditions are impossible, we do not need the single economic space. We are joining it not because we want to get something cheaper. No! We need equal terms. If the product is cheap there, it is cheap here, too. If it is expensive there, it will be expensive here,” the President stressed.
In his words, Russia has finally understood that Belarus might be useful. “Not long ago they asked for assistance in the supplies of petrol. I am talking about thousands of tonnes. And, of course, we will meet Russia halfway in the issue,” the head of state said.
Alexander Lukashenko believes that the forthcoming meeting of the Supreme State Council will be crucial in adopting the relevant decisions.