Zhaliba: Moscow Will Reduce Gas Price, But Ordinary Belarusians Won’t Pay Less

The price difference, which is to become higher, is to be taken by the state, – the expert believes.

Will Uladzimir Siamashka be able to persuade Moscow to write off the debt and reduce gas price? The dispute over Russian gas deliveries is to be continues by Vice Prime Ministers of the two countries. It has been said to journalists by Russia’s Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, zautra.by reports.

He found it difficult to tell an approximate date of the meeting, and who would represent Russia. And the Belarusian side is to be presented by a deputy chairman of the government Uladzimir Siamashka.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Russia, over the first four month of the year 2016 the debt of Belarus to Gazprom reached more than $125 million. Belarus’ Minister of Energy Uladzimir Patupchyk denies there is a debt, and finds that the price of $73 per 1,000 cubic metres, not $132, is just.

The question whether Moscow is going to come to terms with the ally, was asked by journalists to Barys Zhaliba, Professor, Doctor of Economics.

– Russians will reduce the price, but not to the level Belarusians ask, – the expert predicts.

As said by him, in connection with declining oil prices, the Belarusian side could ask to reconsider the treaties on gas accounting, if certain terms are indicated in the documents.

– And in case it is a termless contract, Russia is right formally. But Moscow usually made concessions. I think there is going to be some price reduction this time as well. Siamashka is an experienced negotiator, – Zhaliba notes.

He stresses that it’s been a long time since Gazprom indicators have been seriously declining.

– There is going to be a compromise solution. The both sides should make concessions, – he believes.

– What bonuses are to be received by Belarusians, if Russia gives us a discount for gas once again?

– I forecast that the gas price for enterprises and population won’t change. At least, I don’t remember such cases when a price was reduced for end consumers in Belarus. The price difference, which is to become higher, is to be taken by the state.

– Will the dependence of Belarus on Russian gas be reduced by Astravets NPP?

– In case of Astravets NPP’s putting into operation Belarusians are to cut gas buying in Russia naturally. At the same time, the nuclear power plant will make Belarus fully dependent on Russia, which is to supply nuclear fuel for this NPP. But the main thing is, the economic dependence is to grow. We would have to pay $10 billion to our Eastern neighbours.

– What hinders Belarus to decrease Russian gas consumption now?

– Technically, the government sets a task to use alternative energy sources. We have possibilities for construction of hydro-electric power stations, wind generators, solar batteries. However, the authorities are not eager to do so. A private initiative is necessary, and special conditions should be created for it. Technologies, investments are also needed for that. And we do not have them.