BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/07/2008

Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus need to negotiate energy transportation tariffs

Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus should agree the energy transportation tariffs, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Belarus Bolat Iskakov told a press conference in Minsk on July 2 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Astana, reported Belta.

Bolat Iskakov said: "The issue concerning gas and oil transportation tariffs is pressing. Every year, starting from 2005, Kazakhstan pumps around five million tonnes of oil through Belarus. We can pump even more considering the capacity of the pipelines, including the Belarusian leg. If we, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, agree the tariffs, then there will be no problems. Kazakh businessmen are interested in the markets, including in energy transit via Belarus. But they have to address the issue which is to negotiate with Russia where our pipelines go through." According to the Ambassador, Belarusian and Russian partners can discuss transport logistics issues within the framework of the Union State.

Bolat Iskakov also said that Ukraine is considering pumping oil through the pipeline Odessa-Brody-Plock-Gdansk. Belarus can take part in this project. It is aimed at diversifying energy sources and routes which combine the basins of he Caspian and Black Seas and the Baltic Sea region.

Source:

http://capital.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1237377&lang=EN

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