UPDATE: Belarus PM: Moscow–Minsk energy spat limits Eurasian integration

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BISHKEK, Mar 7 (PRIME) -- The lack of solution of the Russian–Belarusian energy problem is limiting development of the Eurasian Economic Union, Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said at a meeting of the union council on Tuesday.

Kobyakov said that the gas price difference between Russia and Belarus contradicted integration principles, “Why after the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union, the difference is almost three times higher instead of a gradual reduction? What freedom of goods, services, capital and workforce flow can exist there?”

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that union participants must not discuss bilateral relations in the framework of the union meetings. “I think that this abuse of the union rights is unacceptable, integration is of a supranational nature and must remain above the national and bilateral agenda. Here we consider issues concerning everybody.”

Medvedev also warned against haggling prices on Russian gas. “Let’s say it frankly, without niceties – if some countries that are present here today had not joined the union or left it, they would have to buy gas at European prices.”

Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian position on the gas issue with Minsk is consistent, “As regards the so-called gas dispute, Russia has a quite consistent position here, and on the working level, let’s say, it is quite consistently communicated to our Belarusian colleagues.”

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