Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 3 September (BelTA) – The introduction of restrictions on and prohibitions against delivering Russian oil products to Belarus will run contrary to the main principles of the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty, BelTA learned from Andrei Rybakov, Chairman of the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim.

The official said: “A number of Russian mass media quoted Russian Federation Energy Minister Alexander Novak as saying today that it is economically inadvisable to sell Russian oil products to Belarus because the products can be simply re-exported. We believe that such statements are designed to influence the negotiation process and lack constructive input.”

The Belneftekhim head stated that Belarusian negotiators present their stance and arguments during consultations and have no intention of leaking them to mass media before the negotiations are over and the relevant documents are signed.

Belarus and Russia are now busy adjusting the intended trade figures for the year 2019. All the work concerning deliveries of Russian oil products is completely legal. Belarus fully honors its own commitments.

“The introduction of restrictions and prohibitions in this matter would violate the basic principles of the Eurasian Economic Union Treaty. The lack of raw materials would reduce the workload of individual enterprises, negatively affecting the competitive ability of Belarusian petrochemical products,” concluded Andrei Rybakov.

Negotiations on future cooperation in energy sphere will continue.