Belarus can’t afford to pay market price for Russian gas
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8:47, — Economics
First vice-premier of Russian said on the conference in Munich Russia’s gas price for Belarus is cheaper than for other European countries. “Europe pays USD 314 for 1 cu m. Lukashenka said he hadn’t such money,” Sergei Ivanov declared.
He noted that Russian energy prices don’t depend on foreign policy of Russia. “What is the connection between gas and oil prices and policy? No connection,” Sergei Ivanov said answering the questions of the conference participants. “We don’t sell gas for free,” the first vice-premier of Russia emphasised.
According to him, price of Russian energy is determined by “transparent market formula,” Interfax reports.
According to 5-year contract, signed on 31 December 2006, gas price for Belarus since 2008 is to be determined by a formula, depending on cost of oil products at European markets.
It is to amount to 67 per cent of average European price less transport expanses in 2008, 80 per cent in 2009, 90 per cent tin 2010 and 100 per cent in 2011.
