Belarus and Russia sign energy budget until 2020

Belarus and Russia have signed an energy budget up to 2020, first vice-premier Vladimir Semashko told reporters on January 30. The document was adopted on January 27 in Moscow. Under the budget, Russia is expected to push up the supplies of natural gas to Belarus from 21 billion cubic meters to 25 billion cubic meters per annum. The supplies of oil are presently under consideration. The issue is to be decreed upon in the second half of 2006. Belarus expects to enhance consumption of oil from 19,5 million tons in 2006 to 25 million tons by 2020. The supplies of the Russian energy will be scaled down in line with the concept of energy security and enhancement of the energy independence of Belarus. The volume of imports of the Russian coal will be stepped up from 300 thousand tons to one million tons per annum.