Lukashenka's oil needs growing

Belarus plans to increase the import of oil from Russia to 24 million tonnes in 2014 in comparison with this year's estimated volume of 23 million tonnes.

“We put 24 million tonnes in the oil balance with Russia for the next year. Belarusian refineries need this amount of oil next year for working at full capacity,” Prime TASS learnt from a source in the Belarusian relative agency.

In 2013, Belarus asked Russia to supply 23 million tonnes instead of proposed 18.5 million tonnes. Oil supplies in the first half of the year were 5.75 million tonnes per quarter that complies with the estimated volume of 23 million tonnes.

Negotiations on further oil supplies continue: The parties are expected to agree on oil deliveries for the third quarter of the year by June 15. The talks are complicated due to the scheme of duty-free export of oil products under the guise of solvents used by Belarus last year. Belarus and traders “saved” about $1.5 million in the affair.