Russia, Belarus may settle gas dispute on Thursday

SKOLKOVO, Oct 26 (PRIME) – Belarus has to sign several agreements before it repays its debt for Russian gas fully, which may be done during a Thursday visit of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Minsk, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich told reporters on Wednesday.

“We have not signed the agreements, as they are to pass the procedure of a government meeting. We will discuss it additionally,” he said.

He said that Belarus has not redeemed its debt yet because it has to sign agreements on other topics first. “They are related issues,” he said.

Medvedev is going to Minsk on Thursday and all answers may be announced then, he said.

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

After negotiations on October 7, Russia agreed to cut the 2016 gas price and outlined a plan of further reductions for the next few years for Belarus, while Minsk agreed to redeem its debt for past deliveries. Belarusian Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik said on October 21 that the country planned to redeem its $281 million debt to Russia then.

End