Photo:
RIA Novosti
Disagreements between Russia and Belarus on a gas question remains, told reporters Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich on the sidelines of the investment forum in Sochi.
“Our differences remain,” – he said, answering the question examined whether the leadership of Russia and Belarus prepared the text of the Protocol on oil and gas issue.
Dvorkovich noted that the talks are ongoing. “Belarus had to repay the debt for gas and not accumulate it,” he added.
Earlier Dvorkovich reported that the amount of debt of Belarus for Russian gas deliveries as of January 28, reached about $550 million.
From the beginning of 2016 Belarus is negotiating with Russia on reducing gas prices. Belarus insisted on the equal export prices for Russian gas and wanted to pay $73 per 1 thousand cubic meters instead of $132. In response to the shortfall in Belarus about $300 million for the gas supplied to Russia by more than a third reduced the supply of duty-free oil to the Republic.
At the end of 2016 Belarus Russia listed the advance payment for gas, and expressed hope for the restoration of oil supplies. However, Dvorkovich said that Russia has returned a down payment and insist on the full execution of the gas contract. While Dvorkovich did not rule out that the settlement of the gas issue with Belarus and possibly in court, since the case is already in court.