Russian oil supplies to, via Belarus unaffected by lack of deal

19:07, 11 January 2010

MINSK. January 11. KAZINFORM Russian oil supplies are continuing to and via Belarus to Europe despite the two countries' failure to sign an agreement for 2010, Belarus's state energy firm Belneftekhim said on Monday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

A Belarusian delegation left Moscow on Saturday without reaching a deal, reviving fears of supply cuts to the European Union. The former Soviet states blamed each other for the failure to reach a new agreement.

"Oil has been supplied for Belarus's oil refinery facilities and for transit as usual," Belneftekhim spokeswoman Marina Kostyuchenko said, adding the supplies have been carried out in line with "preliminary agreements."

Belarus benefited from major discounts on Russian oil imports in 2009, and is seeking preferential treatment this year.

Russia has said Belarus can only buy 6 million metric tons of oil for domestic consumption duty free. Minsk wants all Russian oil to be duty free, while Moscow now demands payment for crude re-exported to the EU; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

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