Minister: No final decisions on Russia's gas price for Belarus for 2023

Negotiations with the Russian Federation on the gas price for Belarus for 2023 are ongoing, no final decisions have been made yet, Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told journalists at the BelTA press center on 19 December.

“As part of the work to implement the Union State programs, Belarus had prepared proposals on the gas price for Belarus for 2023 and on the principles of a common gas market of the Union State. These proposals have been repeatedly discussed at the level of experts, representatives of government agencies and authorities. These are sensitive issues that affect many things; external factors also have a certain impact. An in-depth study and a profound analysis of these proposals are needed. Negotiations continue as there are no final decisions yet. These issues will be considered at the highest level,” Viktor Karankevich said.

He also noted that the gas sector makes a significant contribution to the stable operation of the energy complex. In 2022, gas supply organizations carried out a comprehensive instrumental survey of 8,900 km of underground gas pipelines, checked 878 km of underground gas pipelines with a service life of 40 years or more, repaired 425 gas distribution points, replaced almost 150,000 units of old household gas equipment, and adjusted and optimized 50 gas supply schemes. This year, about 800 km of gas pipelines of various types were put into operation in the country, more than 20,000 apartments and homes were gasified.