Ukraine 's Naftogaz closed its representative office in Belarus
- 12.08.2009, 9:51
Over the two years of its work Naftogaz failed to implement joint projects with Beltransgaz in the area of gas transportation and storage.
Once it was told by the head of the representative office Alexander Sidorchuk. Then the matter concerned “increasing through capacity of gas pipelines via the territory of Belarus to Ukraine”.
Up to this summer Belarus has been actively lobbying the idea of construction of the second trunk of Yamal- Europe pipeline which crosses the country, which according to Belarusian authorities would be a much more beneficial investment than construction of the Nord Stream. However, as the Nord Stream project was progressing, Russia was successful in the south (South Stream), and while construction of BPS-2 pipeline started, it became clear both for Minsk and for Kyiv that Russia was not bluffing with its statements about the desire to circumvent unpredictable transit countries in delivering energy resources to Europe, AFN reminds.
It is obvious the sides haven’t found understanding on the issue of cooperation of National JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy and “Belarusneft, though two years ago Belarus and Ukraine tried to organize deliveries of oil extracted in Belarus to Ukrainian refineries. Today, as a rule, a little more than a half out of 1.7 mln tons of Belarusian oil is exported to Poland, and the rest is refined at Mozyr refinery.
“As long as the same pipelines pass through the territory of Belarus and Ukraine, we have to accept common rules of the game. That is why purely technical parameters, as well as the legal ground are to be important. It is important to us to take care about the project together, it is a strategic project for Europe and of vital importance for it and for our states,” Ukrainian Ambassador Ihor Lykhovoy said at the opening of the representation office in Minsk.
The events of last winter demonstrated that the sides haven’t coordinated their policies: Russia blocked off gas for Ukraine, while Belarus increased the volume of transit considerably.
