BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

10/01/2007

Mr Lukashenko and Mr Putin reach compromise to solve the problem of Russian oil transit

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko and Russia's President Vladimir Putin, during a telephone call, have agreed today on a compromise that will allow settling the problem of Russian oil transit through the territory of Belarus, the press service of the Belarusian President informs.

As it is reported, the head of the two countries discussed problems arisen from the countries' relationship in the trading and economic spheres. "As a result, a compromise was found that will make it possible to unlock the existing dead-locked situation, including the Russian oil transit to European countries via the territory of the Republic of Belarus," the press office says.

The Kremlin's press service confirms that the Presidents discussed issues of the economic cooperation, including the Russian oil transit via Belarus, during their telephone conversation. It is also noted that the telephone call was initiated by the Belarusian party. But it is not reported that the Presidents have found a compromise on the oil transit.

The prime-ministers of Belarus and Russia were ordered to work out concrete proposals within two days to resolve all the problem issues and submit them for review by the heads of the countries by Friday, January 12.

Source:

http://www.akm.ru/eng/news/2007/january/10/ns1845273.htm