Belarus and Russia continue to work out interaction algorithms in the gas sector, which could result in a convergence of conditions for business entities. This was stated in an interview with RIA Novosti by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.
“At present, work on forming a unified gas market of the Union State is being carried out as part of the implementation of the ‘Main Guidelines for the Implementation of the Treaty on the Union State for 2024–2026.’ We are trying not to speculate about specific launch dates, but we note active work in this area by Russia’s Ministry of Energy and Gazprom, which could provide more detailed answers to this question.
As is well known, a preferential price has been established for Belarus for supplied Russian gas, which should be viewed, among other things, as allied support for Minsk amid ongoing sanctions pressure from unfriendly countries. At the same time, algorithms for further interaction in this area are being developed. It will be necessary to align, or at least significantly bring closer, business conditions in the gas sector, taking into account the specifics of domestic market regulation in the two countries, including price indexation and cross-subsidization of consumers in Russia,” he said.
Galuzin was also asked to comment on the situation with Belarusian port capacities in Russia, in particular the transfer of the Bronka complex in St. Petersburg and construction in Murmansk, as well as whether it is known who will own them, the planned investment amounts, and their capacities.
“Russia and Belarus, acting in the spirit of alliance and strategic partnership, are conducting joint work to form a single economic space and create new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Without doubt, the development of shared transport and logistics infrastructure on Russian territory serves the interests of both countries and contributes to the further deepening of our integration within the Union State.
Belarus’s need to diversify transport routes to ensure uninterrupted deliveries of its export products was largely caused by the sanctions aggression of the collective West and the hostile policies of its Baltic neighbors. Under these conditions, Russia provided its ally with unprecedented assistance, including agreeing to Minsk’s development of its own port capacities on our territory — in St. Petersburg and the Murmansk Region.
The practical elaboration of these decisions was ensured by the Government of the Russian Federation through the Ministry of Transport of Russia, which, by virtue of its competence, possesses full information on this matter,” Galuzin replied.