Belarus and Latvia have a row over oil

• 26.11.2010, 10:23

Belneftekhim accused LatRosTrans of economic damage caused by oil discharge from the northern branch of “Druzhba” pipeline.

It has been written in the statement on the concern made on Friday, Interfax-Zapad reports.

“According to the information, supported by metered values of Navapolatsk republican oil transportation enterprise “Druzhba”, on November 25 2010 LatRosTrans enterprise started oil discharge. Belneftekhim states that by their unilateral actions LatRosTrans causes economic damage to the property of Belarus, and namely to Navapolatsk republican oil transportation enterprise “Druzhba”, which owns the technological of oil pipeline,” the report reads.

“Belneftekhim concern considers that actions of the private company LatRosTrans do not agree with the state policy of Latvia, it is conducted without considering its national interests and damage the economical partnership of the two states,” the press release underlines. “Belneftekhim concern regrets that statements of LatRosTrans damage the image of the Latvian Republic as the country which builds equal relations with the neighbouring states and developing its transit capabilities,” it reads.

In the end the right to defend the rights of “Druzhba” pipeline in diplomatic or juridical ways is declared. At the same time, the concern believes it is possible to settle the issue through negotiations and calls for constructive cooperation between the interested parties.

As one of the variants of cooperation the concern offers making the Druzhba company part of LatRosTrans by means of contributing Belarusian oil which is started to be pumped by the Latvian-Russian company as LatRosTrans capital investment. Belneftekhim stresses the ownership right for this oil.