BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

28/01/2010

Moscow-Minsk oil row settled

MOSCOW, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- European consumers breathed a sigh of relief when Moscow announced a lingering dispute over oil transits through Belarus was resolved.

Russia pulled back on oil transits through the Druzhba pipeline, the longest oil pipeline in the world, during the New Year holiday citing a lack of terms for 2010 transits with Belarus.

Both sides said they discussed the issue in amicable terms, though the argument threatened about 10 percent of Europe's oil supplies.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin told state news agency RIA Novosti the row was settled, though he offered few specifics.

Sechin said the deal included "amendments to an agreement on oil deliveries to Belarus, oil pricing procedures, and a joint statement on oil transit guarantees."

Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko met with Sechin on Tuesday to discuss the issue, with Minsk saying it was considering a "decision on retaliation" regarding the dispute.

Moscow had proposed special considerations for Minsk, but not for the oil it exports to Europe through the pipeline.

Europe said it expected both sides to meet their transit obligations.

Source:

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Resource-Wars/2010/01/28/Moscow-Minsk-oil-row-settled/UPI-96321264697400/


Partners:
Face.by Social Network
Face.by