BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/10/2007

Minsk needs guarantee of continuous energy supply at acceptable prices

VILNIUS. Oct 11 (Interfax) - Belarus wants stable and predictable relations with energy suppliers, Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Voronetsky said in Vilnius on Thursday.

"Belarus stands for uninterrupted and guaranteed supplies of energy resources, primarily oil and gas, at acceptable prices," he said.

"We want stable, transparent and predictable relations with the suppliers and the maximum possible economically founded diversification of the suppliers and delivery routes," Voronetsky said.

Belarus transports over 40% of Russian crude and about 25% of Russian gas exported to Europe, he said. "Also, the Belarusian electric power grid is a component of the electric power system of Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. We share some electric power systems with Poland, and may transit electricity from Ukraine to Baltic republics," the diplomat said.

"Common efforts of all market participants - producers, transit countries and consumers - are necessary for an efficient response to the energy threat, which is encountered by everyone regardless the availability of resources," Voronetsky said.

"We are interested in new oil refinery technologies and safe and stable supplies. We are interested in cooperation with investors from countries, which may supply the technologies and guarantee uninterrupted energy supplies," he said.

As for the construction of a gas storage facility with the assistance of European investors to ensure continuous gas deliveries to Europe, Voronetsky said, "the issue is being closely considered between the government and various countries, among them Lithuania."

The diplomat also commented on a speech by a Czech vice-premier, who urged Vilnius conference delegates "not to take the lead from the Belarusian president, who is playing the energy card for his own benefit."

"It seems the Czech vice-premier did not notice that he was taking part in the energy security conference. I do not know how that might have happened. Probably, he did not sleep well," Voronetsky said.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/322685/news.aspx