Sidorski goes to Moscow to Putin for money and gas (Video)
- 14.08.2008, 8:41
Prime Ministers of Russia and Belarus Vladimir Putin and Syarhei Sidorski are to meet in Moscow today. The topics for discussion for the two heads of governments are rather sensitive: costs of Russian gas for Belarus, possibility of introducing a single currency, Russian credits for Belarus.
As Sidorski said on August 10 during the visit to agricultural enterprises of Smalevichy district, during the working visit Prime Ministers are planning to discuss costs and terms of deliveries of Russian energy resources to Belarus. Prime ministers are to discuss issues of integration of economies, relations between enterprises, cooperation in energy sphere. S. Sidorski reminded that a Russian company “Atomstrojexport” offered to participate in the project of a nuclear power plant construction in Belarus, and is ready to offer credit resources.
Deputy head of Russian Finance Ministry: Putin can discuss a new credit with Belarusian Prime Minister
On Thursday Prime Ministers of Russia and Belarus Vladimir Putin and Syarhei Sidorski can discuss granting an additional credit to Belarus, RIA Novosti was informed by the deputy head of the Finance Ministry of Russia Dmitry Pankin.
“As far as I know, this issue is to be discussed today,” Pankin said on Wednesday.
“The process of negotiations is underway still,” the deputy minister said, reminding that the Belarusian side asked for a credit of USD 2 bn from Russia.
“There was such an address, but negotiations process is still underway, the process of discussing. No decisions have been adopted,” he explained.
In the end of the 2007 Russia and Belarus signed an agreement to grant USD 1.5 bn stabilization credit to Minsk for 15 years. Belarus asked these money for paying for energy resources in particular.
The second credit which is discussed now, is expected to be given to support trade and payment balance of the country.
Russian Ambassador: Single currency could be discussed
The issue of the single currency of Belarus and Russia could be brought up during the meeting of the Prime ministers of Russia and Belarus Vladimir Putin and Syarhei Sidorski in Moscow on August 14. It has been said at a press-conference in Mibnsk by Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov.
“Belarus’ credit balance deficit in the first half of the year is more than 6 bn dollars. It could nudge to start talks on single currency to zero out this balance,” A. Surikov said, Interfax informs.
He also emphasized that he sees no “reasons for not introducing a signle currency. Related to the Constitution”. “The EU lives with a single currency without Constitution,” he said.