Pres: Minsk ready for compromise in energy talks with Russia

MINSK, Oct 7 (PRIME) -- Belarus is ready for a compromise in energy disputes with Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday during a meeting with the parliament.

“We are sensible people and we are ready for compromises, but they must be honest,” Lukashenko said.

He said that the negotiations had made some progress lately and that there are certain “new proposals” from Russia. “I think that the Russian president has intervened in this issue… We hope these issues will be solved,” Putin said.

In July, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Belarus owes Russian gas giant Gazprom U.S. $270 million. Gazprom said Minsk underpays the company for gas, while Belarusian Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik said that the fair price would amount to $73 per 1,000 cubic meters instead of $132.77. Minsk did not acknowledge the debt.

The Belarusian antitrust body earlier decided to raise the tariff for transit of Russian oil by 50% on average starting from October 11. The Russian antitrust body and oil pipeline monopoly Transneft rejected the increase.

End