English

Russian ambassador: No strategic disputes expected over natural gas price

Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Surikov said that he did not expect any “strategic disputes” between the two countries over the price of natural gas supplied to Belarus, as quoted by BelaPAN.

“Gas [delivery] contracts have been signed, including for the year 2011,” the ambassador said at a news conference held in Minsk on Tuesday. “Why should we need any negotiations, if there are contracts? Delivery terms have been agreed upon. Absolutely all things have been agreed upon there.”

Apart from the long-term contract signed between Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom and Belarusian oil transportation company Beltranshaz a few years ago, there is also a memorandum that was inked by the presidents of Russia and Belarus, he said. “This memorandum says that compliance with gas contracts is a key thing,” the ambassador said. “There will be no strategic disputes.”

Mr. Surikov added that Belarus currently pays for gas deliveries in strict accordance with the contract.