Sidorski asks Russia “not to dissect like a knife one organism”
- 13.11.2009, 9:00
Belarusian Prime Minister calls upon Russia to stick to agreements on mutual trade strictly.
“The most important thing is not to cut the living organism, not to destroy what has been done before us, recognize what has been signed by us, and develop the economies of our states on this basis,” Sidorski said at a press-conference in Minsk on Thursday, Interfax informs.
Syarhei Sidorski noted that earlier the sides agreed that they won’t use protectionist measures against each other. However, as said by Prime Minister, the economic crisis has “revealed many questions”. He underlined that joint anti-crisis plan hasn’t been implemented in full measure. At the same time, Sidorski noted that Russia’s support to its manufacturers, and Belarus’ support of its manufacturers should be treated with understanding.
Sidorski underlined that considerable decrease of trade turnover with Russia this year is painful for Belarus. “We expected that being a supplement of the Russian economy in items where it is necessary for them, we would be present at the Russian market, but so far we have to open new countries,” the prime minister said.
Sidorski has also informed that in the first half of 2010 Belarus and Russia are to continue talks on conditions of Russian oil deliveries to Belarus taking into account the beginning of the practical work of the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan since July 1, 2010.
“Agreement on oil will be extended till July 1, 2010. For the first half of the next year talks will be continued,” Sidorski said.
He reminded that in the end of November final decision of Belarusian, Russian and Kazakh presidents on creation of the Customs Union of the three countries since January 1, 2010 is to be adopted. In case these decisions would be passed “since July 1, 2010 we are going to the exterior perimeter of the border, and all systems of control would be lifted inside,” Sidorski said.
In this connection these agreements “give a possibility to hold talks taking into account the Customs Union,” Belarusian Prime Minister said.
Sidorski has also stated that transition to equal oil prices should be made simultaneously with Russia.
According to the Prime Minister, when selling a 50% block of shares of Beltransgaz to Gazprom the sides agreed (at the highest level) on the equal gas prices.
Previous agreements of Belarusian and Russian leadership envisaged equal prices since January 1, 2011. Meanwhile, Sidorski reminded that Russia took a decision to postpone the transition to the prices equal with European ones for 2014-2016. “Thus Belarus has a legitimate right to negotiate this issue,” Sergei Sidorsky said.
Sidorski reminded that over the last three years gas prices for Belarus were growing annually. “Prices are falling on the international market while for Belarus gas is getting more expensive every year. Why should the gas prices for Belarus be increasing in 2010 when they are falling worldwide? We have posed this question to our Russian colleagues,” he said. Gazprom and Beltransgaz are to continue negotiations and make proposals to governments.