Lukashenko announced the failure to implement the single gas market with Russia

When forming a single gas market within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, problems arose, in particular, the deadlines for the implementation of measures were disrupted. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting on Belarusian-Russian cooperation.

“Let me remind you that the union program for the formation of a united gas market provides for specific measures and deadlines, which, unfortunately, in my opinion, have not been implemented. They are just torn off. Who is responsible for this and how will we correct the situation?” Lukashenka saidquote according to BelTA).

The Belarusian leader noted that the competitiveness of the country’s economy depends on energy prices, in this regard, pricing issues in the framework of the implementation of union programs are in the first place. He also noted that the discussion of economic issues will be the main topic of the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 19.

In early September, Putin announced that Russia and Belarus would create a single gas market within the framework of the Union State. He clarified that the document would be signed before December 1, 2023. “In addition, it is envisaged to conclude an agreement on the unification of the markets for oil and oil products, as well as an agreement on a single electricity market,” Putin added.

In early December, at a press conference following a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Bishkek, the Russian president announced the need to create a single gas market in the EAEU. According to him, it is planned within the next two years to formulate the principles of its work and move on to the implementation of the initiative.

At the end of November it became known that Putin proposed to create union Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan “to resolve issues in the gas sector.” Tokayev’s spokesman Ruslan Zheldibay specified that the talk was about the creation of a “triple gas union” with the aim of “coordinating actions in the transportation of Russian gas through the territories of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.”