25 May 2004 18:47
Belarusian first deputy premier optimistic about Russian gas supplies
Minsk, 25 May: "We believe we will manage to sign a contract with [Russia's gas monopoly] Gazprom in the
first half of June," Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Uladzimir Syamashka told journalists on 25 May in
Minsk. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the ninth specialized exhibition called "Chemistry. Oil and
Gas".
"We have been in a permanent process of talks. And as a result the fifth month of 2004 is coming to an end and,
although unfortunately there is no permanent contract with Gazprom, Belarus does have gas, our companies are working
normally and developing. Of course, this is not a normal situation when there is no permanent contract with the main gas
supplier," Syamashka said. He noted that [Russia's] Sibur company, which has been supplying gas to Belarus
over recent months, is a relatively independent supplier, "as Sibur is a subsidiary wholly owned by Gazprom and it
means that Gazprom is continuing to supply gas to us".
The first deputy prime minister assured those present that "there have been and will be no interruptions in gas
supplies" and said that the 18.5bn cu.m. of gas Belarus is going to receive in 2004 "would be enough for the
national economy and needs of the general public".
Despite the fact that the gas limit allocated by Gazprom to Belarus's independent suppliers will be exhausted on
25 May, the country will not remain without gas, the deputy prime minister said. "Sibur has been supplying gas and,
I hope, it will continue doing so until we sign a year-long contract with Gazprom," Syamashka believes.
[Belapan news agency] |
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