Lukashenko: Gazprom owes to Belarus

It is not Belarus that owes to Gazprom but Gazprom owes to Belarus, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Minsk on 22 June.

“The January-April debt that Gazprom is crying about is close to $190 million. During this time frame we have been trying to come to terms with Russia’s government because Gazprom forwarded us there directly, saying if the government says so, we will keep the last year’s price for you. Belarus has just started recovering after the crisis, with warehouses being unloaded. The trade with Russia soared by 51% in comparison with the same period of last year. I wish Russia would support Belarus at this time by not raising the price. You don’t have to lower the price by 30% like you have done for Ukraine and like you promise to do for Hungary. Give us a year to work with last year prices to restore the economy,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President explained that Belarus had tried to negotiate with Russia at the top level and have been paying the last year price “but they demanded we should pay $20 more”. “A debt has accumulated. As of 1 May 2010 we failed to agree and paid in full in May just like Gazprom required. The debt of $192 million is still there. We asked for an option to pay by installment not because the country has no money. We do have money but we cannot drain the gold and foreign exchange reserves. We need to keep up the exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble. We cannot drain the budget either because its funds have been assigned,” said Alexander Lukashenko. He added that Belarus had asked for at least two weeks to gather the necessary sum and pay up. “No, they won’t wait and demanded we must pay $192 million,” the Belarusian head of state quoted Russian partners as saying.

“Well, today I borrowed the money from my friends and we will pay the money to you soon. I am sad that we borrowed the money from strangers in one day while Russia couldn’t wait for two weeks,” said the head of state.

“I don’t understand the attitude of Russia’s leadership now. There is some incomprehensible pressure. It is not us that owe to Gazprom. It is Gazprom that owes us $70 million with cross-cancellation of debts. It is absolutely accurate and they admit it”.

Source: BelTA