Events

Putin: Common gas transit tariff in EAEU possible only with common budget, taxation

Vladimir Putin. Photo courtesy of the Russian president press service/TASS

MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) - A common tariff on gas transit in the Eurasian Economic Union is possible only when there is common budget and taxation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as he addressed the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting, BelTA has learned.

“As for the single tariff suggested by our Armenian and Belarusian friends on gas transportation and transit services, we believe that it will be possible only when we have the common market with common budget and common tax system. We have not yet reached such a deep level of integration in the EAEU. You and I know that well. In the meantime, gas prices should be based on market terms, take into account the costs and investments of suppliers, and ensure a reasonable rate of return on the capital invested in production. It is a common world practice,” Vladimir Putin noted.

The EAEU countries have drafted the strategic areas for the development of Eurasian economic integration until 2025. According to the Russian president, the signing of the document is hindered only by one issue - gas transportation tariffs. There is a formula supported by three countries, namely  Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It suggests defining the approaches to gas pricing later, at the negotiations on the EAEU market formation. Our Armenian and Belarusian counterparts do not accept this formula. They have their own point of view. If they could agree with it, there would be no other obstacles to approving the strategy at all,” said the Russian head of state.

“If the position of our Armenian and Belarusian friends remains unchanged, it would probably be logical to exclude the gas point from the draft strategy to get the document approved. Discussion of the approaches to gas pricing can be continued at the level of experts of the member states and the Eurasian Economic Commission,” Vladimir Putin said.

During the meeting Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed to postpone the approval of strategic areas of the Eurasian economic integration through 2025. According to the Kazakhstan leader, it is necessary to further discuss a number of issues and adopt the document during a face-to-face meeting, which will be held sooner or later. “While generally supporting the document, I believe that there are some issues that require additional discussion and elaboration. Given the particular importance of this document, which lays down the basis of integration for years to come, it seems appropriate to discuss it further and to adopt it during a face-to-face meeting. Sooner or later we will see each other in person,” he said.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks