Yaraslau Ramanchuk: Another gas conflict is unavoidable :: Charter'97 :: News

Deputy CEO of the Beltrasgaz Vinery Valchuga declared today that Belarus is unlikely to agree with the gas price for 2008 offered by the Gazprom without dispute. Well-known economist Yaraslau Ramanchuk agreed to comment on the statement of the Belarusian official to the Charter’97 press-center.

“Statements of the Belarusian top-managers have shown once again that Belarus is not capable of negotiating. Such statements discredit the state authorities and the government before the world public, the economist considers. The conditions of energy carrier’s deliveries and their prices, according to Ramanchuk, were accurately defined in the interstate agreement of the early 2007.

“Russia’s standpoint is fairly wise and reasonable. They are ready to grant us a credit in case of the cash deficit .But the official Belarus manifests 9% economy growth, gold and currency reserve increase. Proficit of our budget has almost gained 5%.The volume of outside credits has increased by 2 million dollars”, the expert adds.

The officials, according to the economist, have appeared in the predicament. They are demanded of full-volume financing of all envisaged programs. Our economy has not been modernized but the debt has grown.

“Similar declarations of the Belarusian leaders are nothing else but the preparation of public opinion to new attacks on Moscow. We may say that another conflict between Minks and Moscow has already been programmed .The Belarusian officials’ behavior in the current situation is absolutely incorrect. You must respect your dignity. The Belarusian consumers make full value payments for the gas and even more “, Yaraslau Ramanchuk concludes.