Łukašenka: No tangible progress on energy, industry with Russia

January 12, BPN. Despite the “substantial work done” on the implementation of 28 integration programs, “no noticeable progress, especially in energy, industry and transport, has been felt by Belarus,” Alaksandr Łukašenka has told officials in Minsk.

“The implementation of programs to create common gas, oil and petroleum products markets required bringing the issue to the highest level,” Łukašenka said, as quoted by his press office. “The necessary solutions were found during the December negotiations with the Russian president (at least for three years). Work is underway to have them on paper.”

In November 2021, Vladimir Putin and Alaksandr Łukašenka signed a decree approving 28 integration programs.

In the same year, Belarus and Russia agreed to develop principles that would allow them to create the common gas market by July 2022. They also agreed to update the relevant integration program by December 2023.

In May 2022, Energy Minister Viktar Karankievič said the common electricity market will open on January 1, 2024.

In an interview with Peterburgskiy Dnevnik, published on September 15, Russian Ambassador Boris Gryzlov said it was inexpedient to intensify the creation of the common oil, gas and electricity market. The common energy market program should not outpace the other programs, he argued.

Minsk and Moscow must agree on common tax and customs systems first, the diplomat said.

Last December, Łukašenka said specific steps and deadlines of the Union State program on the common gas market with Russia were “simply thwarted.”