Kabyakou: No plausible agreements on gas price with Russia achieved

“We adhere to our position, and the Russian side maintains its position,” stated Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus.

Belarus expects to reach an agreement on conditions of oil and gas deliveries in 2010 by the end of December this year, Andrei Kabyakou said to journalists, “Interfax” reports.

“I think that temporary conditions of oil import would be created for the early period of 2010. After that conditions of oil deliveries would be agreed upon considering coming into force Customs Union stipulations,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister has also stated that the sides haven’t still reached plausible agreements on the conditions of Russian gas deliveries to Belarus in 2010. “Talks on gas are continued. We adhere to our position, and the Russian side maintains its position,” Kabyakou said.

The official has also informed that Belarusian government continues to consider possible increase costs of housing and communal services for the population since beginning of 2010, and links it with conditions of energy resources conditions to the country.

“So far the decision on costs of housing and communal services hasn’t been adopted, as talks on con conditions of energy resources deliveries hasn’t been finished,” Kabyakou said.

He finds it too early to comment on the possible level of increase in costs of housing and communal services. “Let’s not forecast the increase, weather it be 5 or 7 dollars,” he added.

As reported, the budget of Belarus in 2010 was based on a supposed gas price of $116 per 1,000 cubic metres. In Q4 2009 the price of deliveries is $122 per 1,000 cubic metres. Under the four-year contract for gas, in 2010 Belarus is to receive gas with 10% discount from average European price, considering the difference of transportation costs. In the talks the Belarusian side initiated maintaining the discount, which was in 2009. Under the contract this discount was to be equal to 20%, however as the parties agreed, the price cut was in fact 30%, which was the level of the contract in 2008.

The intergovernmental agreement between Belarus and Russia on terms of oil delivery to Belarus stays in force in years 2007-2010.

As of December 17, 2009, there is no officially signed document determining conditions of oil to Belarus since January 1, 2010 .